This is the one! Manchester's best running event, televised live on the BBC, will be back bigger and better than ever on Sunday 26 May, with a brilliant city centre 10K and half marathon. This is your chance to experience the incredible atmosphere and run alongside some of the world’s best athletes.

Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make this year’s event one of the best yet, so here are 10 reasons why the Great Manchester Run should be on your 2024 must-do list...

1. The Incredible Route
Starting on Portland Street, runners will pass some of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks and experience the incredible local support all along the route. Both the 10K and half marathon take in city highlights including Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum at Salford Quays and The Lowry – meanwhile half marathon runners make up the miles heading out to the Etihad before the routes combine for a grandstand finish on Deansgate.

2. Local Support
Over 99% of runners say they’d recommend this incredible event to a friend and it’s clear to see why when you experience the atmosphere. The streets of Manchester are lined with tens of thousands of spectators and supporters, roaring runners on towards the famous finish line.

3. Inspirational Runners
Whether you’re just beginning your running journey, or conquering your 50th half marathon, this is a run for everyone, of all ages and abilities. This year the Great Manchester Run is celebrating the ‘Power of Running’ - highlighting the transformative impact running has on individuals and communities.

4. Bouncing Entertainment Zones
Last year saw some exciting new additions to the keep the course bouncing and runners pumped until the finish line – this year is no different! There are live bands on the run including the much-loved Batala Manchester and drag queens, Very Cherry and Ginger Hunter will be hosting at the ‘Karaoke Kicks’ entertainment zone.

5. Make it a Family Affair
It’s not all about the adults…the popular Junior and Mini events take place on Saturday 25 May at the Etihad. The Junior and Mini events give kids the chance to take centre stage – starting on the Manchester Regional Arena track and looping around the Etihad stadium, Minis take on a 1.6K dash and Juniors a 2.5K challenge, before a grandstand finish with spectators cheering our future running stars over the line.

6. An Impressive Medal
This year’s Great Manchester Run medals are inspired by this incredible city, and the 10K and half marathon medals include some of the iconic landmarks from the courses including; Manchester's Tower of Light near the start line, Beetham Tower on Deansgate to celebrate your finish line moment, diagonal lines across the medals with a nod to Manchester's Hacienda, waves representing the canals that run throughout this amazing city.

7. A Televised Event
Watching the action back on the BBC and trying to spot yourself is all part of the fun of the Great Manchester Run. It’s one of only a few UK mass participation events that are televised – a bragging point for sure.

8. Run Alongside the Best
Along with a long-standing tradition of celebrities taking part in the event and famous faces starting the event, the elite men’s, women’s, and wheelchair races have had some of the world’s best athletes taking part over the years. 2023 saw Sir Mo Farah take on one of his last ever races and we’ve also seen incredible performances from icons such as Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Eilish McColgan to name but a few.

9. A Post-race Party 
After crossing the famous finish line the next stop is the Apres run zone, and it’s time to celebrate conquering your 10K or half marathon challenge. Runners, families, and friends can kick back, relax and enjoy the post-race celebrations, with a live DJ turning up the feelgood!

10. Training Plans & Advice
When you sign up for the Great Manchester Run, you won’t be training alone. Along with a Strava community where runners can keep each other motivated until event day, there are also a range of useful training plans on the Great Run website.
 
Manchester comes alive on race day, and there’s still time to sign up and be part of the action. Whether its hearing strangers shout your name, pure joy as you cross the finish line, or wearing your medal with pride, you have to be there to feel the feeling.

If you'd like to know more, or enter, then visit the Great Run website.

Image: Photos courtesy of Great Run Company