Manchester Makes Kids Smile
1500 young people are set to charge round the streets of Manchester this weekend...
The Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run returns to the Etihad this weekend and the event is working with City in the Community, Manchester City’s charity, to provide 150 free places for local youngsters to take part.
The event, which takes place this Saturday, the day before the Great Manchester Run in the city centre, will be welcoming budding runners from 3-15 years old. Around 1,500 young people are expected to take part across two distances. The Mini event is for 3–8-year-olds over a 1.5K course while the 2.5K Junior event is for those aged 9-15.
Paul Foster of the Great Run Company said: “We’re very happy to be able to support City in the Community with 150 free places in the Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run.
“Completing a running event provides a real sense of achievement and can ignite a lifelong love of activity, but we realise for many families at the minute, they have to prioritise essentials over experiences.
“We hope this partnership gives children in the local area, who may not have had the chance to take part otherwise, the opportunity to have their own finish line moment.”
Lisa McKay of City in the Community added: “We are extremely grateful to The Great Run Company for their donation of free places for our young people in Manchester.
“Physical and mental health is at the heart of everything we do at City in the Community, so it’s great to be able to align with local organisations and events to create more opportunities for kids to get active."
Budding athletes are encouraged to embrace the city’s emblem by taking part in a massive bee themed fancy dress competition on the day and elite runners will also be on hand to start races and meet and greet those taking part.
There is still time to be a part of a fantastic, fun, family day out with entries closing at 10am on Friday (20 May).
Image: Great Run Company.