Battle Of Manchester
Ferocious competition expected at the weekend's Manchester Half, as 2024 elite field announced...
There will be a stellar line-up of elite athletes at this year's Manchester Half Marathon, all of whom will be hot on each others heels for a podium finish on Sunday (13 October).
In a fiercely competitive line-up, over 60 elite runners and wheelchair athletes will stake their claim to take home the 2024 Manchester Half title. The field will see a host of Team GB, England and overseas Internationals, including previous winners and first-timers battling it out for a podium finish in North West’s largest half marathon.
The event will also plays host to the 2024 Half Marathon English Championships meaning all our elite athletes will be bidding for title of English Champion over the half distance!
Lucy Reid is the standout athlete from this year’s elite female field. The Puma athlete holds a PB of 70:29 with her fastest half marathon time this year just one second off that. Behind her will be a chasing pack comprising some serious talent with four women boasting 2024 bests less than 30 seconds apart. Andrea Clement (74:22) and Jemima Farley (74:22) lead the way with GB international Rebecca Murray (74:47) and Eleanor Baker (74:49) close behind.
Another Puma athlete leads the way in Jack Rowe, who returns to the event for a second year to defend his course record of 1:02:40. The Team GB runner holds a 62:35 best time in 2024, making him the firm favourite for this Sunday. The battle for second and third in the men’s elite race could be one to watch as a competitive field is in store with Andrew Davies (66:39), Emmet Jennings (65:18), Alexander Leprêtre (64:39, 2023) and Kieran Walker (66:22) all amongst the names looking to stake a claim.
The event will also welcome amateur – turned pro elite marathoner Anya Culling who will be leading the Runna x Puma Official Manchester Half Shakeout Run on Saturday (12 October). Anya took her marathon time down from 4:34 in 2019 to 2:34 in 2022 and has represented England over the marathon distance.
If you'd like to know more, visit the Manchester Half Marathon website.
Image: Manchester Half Marathon