The adidas Manchester Marathon will once again host the English Marathon Championships, bringing some of the country’s top distance runners to the streets of Manchester on 19 April. More than 42,000 participants are expected to take part in the mass participation event, with elite athletes lining up alongside club runners and first time marathoners on the fast and flat course through Greater Manchester and the city centre.

The return of the English Marathon Championships ensures a strong competitive field, with over 50 elite athletes anticipated. Organisers have also introduced new performance incentives for 2026, with a £500 time bonus available to any athlete running under 2:16 for men and 2:36 for women.

At last year’s event, Josh Griffiths took the men’s title in 2:16:56, while Tessa McCormick claimed victory in the women’s race with a time of 2:34:53. A full preview of this year’s elite field is expected in the build up to race day.

Alongside the senior championships, the event will also host the Masters Representative Marathon Championships, with more than 40 athletes representing England, Wales and Northern Ireland across a range of age categories.

The Manchester Marathon continues to play a key role in the domestic racing calendar, with championship action set to return to the city again later in the year when the Manchester Half Marathon hosts the English Half Marathon Championships in October.

if you'd like to know more, visit the Manchester Marathon website.

Image: adidas Manchester Marathon