Running News Daily

Becky Briggs and Jonny Mellor take Manchester Marathon victories

Becky Briggs enjoyed a huge breakthrough as she took five minutes off her PB with 2:29:04, while Jonny Mellor was close to his lifetime best with a commanding men’s win in 2:10:46 at the Therme Manchester Marathon on Sunday April 3.

In ideal conditions for marathon running, Briggs and Mellor both smashed the England qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games of 2:14:00 plus the European Championships mark of 2:14:30 on a day of brilliant racing.

A total of 20 Brits broke the 2:20 barrier with Mellor’s training partner Ross Millington clocking 2:11:38 in his debut marathon in second place, as Kevin Seaward of Northern Ireland was third in 2:11:54.

Behind Briggs, Naomi Mitchell was runner-up in a PB of 2:30:54 while Georgina Schwiening was third in 2:31:37 and Sonia Samuels, 42, fourth in 2:32:32.

All of them were well inside the 2:34:00 women’s qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games. Although in addition to places in the England team for Birmingham in July and GB team for Munich in August, the race was also a trial for the GB team for the IAU 50km European Championships in Avila, Spain, in October.

In a race packed with top-class performances, the super-vet Tommy Hughes (second photo) clocked a phenomenal 2:30:05 aged 62, although it is not quite as quick as his M60 record of 2:30:02 set two years ago.

Defending champion Matt Crehan enjoyed an early lead in the race but he was caught before halfway – which the leaders reached in 66:05 – and Mellor, who had been helped by pacemakers such as Ben Connor, Omar Ahmed and Charlie Hulson, made a strong move just after 20 miles to break away from his rivals.

Mellor and Millington are both members of Team New Balance Manchester and are coached by Steve Vernon. Millington ran for Britain over 10,000m at the Rio Olympics but Mellor has endured bad luck with major championships qualification, being overlooked by England in the run-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and then being forced to miss last year’s Olympic marathon trial due to a freak leg injury caused, he thinks, by compression socks during his sleep.

Briggs only turned 22 last month but looks ideally suited to the marathon. Just three years ago she was the third British athlete in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus but ran 2:38:58 on her marathon debut in the Olympic trial last year and then 2:34:34 in London last October.

Here she went through halfway in 74:16, then overhauled long-time leader Mitchell with about 10km to go and finished strongly to smash the 2:30 barrier and to go No.20 on the UK all-time rankings.

Tom Craggs, England Athletics road running manager, added: “We are delighted to see such tight competition today, with the athletes pushing themselves to place within the top three in order to join Team England this year for the Commonwealth Games 2022.

“This year is an incredibly exciting year for home nations athletes with three major championships taking place, and we were delighted to have worked with the team at Therme Manchester Marathon to support athletes to have the best possible experience at the England Commonwealth Games and British Athletics European Championship trials.”

With a rich history dating back to 1908, the Therme Manchester Marathon is increasingly popular due to its fast, flat course, welcoming Mancunian atmosphere – and Sunday saw 24,000 runners taking part.

Next year’s event is on April 16, 2023. 

(04/04/2022) Views: 559 ⚡AMP
by Athletics Weekly

Manchester Marathon 2020 cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus

After careful consideration, the difficult decision has been taken to cancel the Manchester Marathon due to take place on Sunday 11th October.

The ongoing uncertainty around restrictions relating to COVID-19 has made confirming the necessary arrangements impossible at this time. We apologize to the many of you who were looking forward to running in this much loved event, but it was important to us a decision was taken in good time before runners stepped up their training to longer distances.

We look forward to welcoming runners back to the Manchester Marathon when the event takes place on Sunday 11th April 2021. We are working closely with our wonderful stakeholders to ensure the best event yet. We are also working alongside other event organizers, Public Health England, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to put any necessary measures in place for the return of one of Europe’s favorite marathons. Those who were due to run in either the Manchester Marathon, or Tommy’s Manchester Half, have been emailed directly with further information.

We are pleased to say that we will be offering runners the opportunity to earn a Manchester Marathon 2020 finishers’ medal and t-shirt through a virtual challenge later this year. Keep an eye on the website and your inbox for further details.

At this time we would like to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful runners for their patience whilst solutions were sought, and also our team for their hard work to try and get the event on. We’ll be sharing more updates about the 2021 Manchester Marathon in the coming months, but in the meantime stay safe, and we hope to see you as soon as possible.

(07/14/2020) Views: 899 ⚡AMP

Runners can now register for the 2020 Manchester Marathon

Runners can now register for the Manchester Marathon 2020. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for the annual race early this year.

Following the huge success of last year's marathon efforts - which saw more than £1m raised for good causes including Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, and The Christie - people are being encouraged to sign up and make 2020 even better.

From Wednesday, September 4, at 10am, 5,000 early places will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Organizers expect there to be a lot of competition for a spot.

Starting at the same location under the White City Arch, the challenge-seekers will pass the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields and Albert Memorial Hall before completing their extraordinary efforts by at the Lancashire Cricket Club.

 

(09/02/2019) Views: 1,395 ⚡AMP

ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon announces new route for 2020

The ASICS Manchester Marathon has announced a new route for the 2020 race, which will take place on Sunday April 5, 2020. For the first time, the race will head into the center of Manchester.

Now the second largest marathon in the UK, the ASICS Manchester Marathon attracts thousands of runners thanks to it’s flat course, offering fast times. Runners from all over the country head to Manchester seeking a PR.

The amended route will take a three-mile loop into the city center, past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel amongst others.

The startling line will remain in its present location under the White City Arch, with the famous backdrop of Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium. The race will also continue to direct runners past Trafford Town Hall and Lancashire Cricket Club towards the finish line.

This year’s weekend, 20,000 runners are set to take on the present course, which is a 50% increase from 2018. 

Nick Rusling, CEO of the ASICS Manchester Marathon, said: “This event’s success is completely down to the people of Greater Manchester, they know this event belongs to them, and we’d like to thank them for helping make so many runners dreams come true.

“Many thought they might never run a marathon, or are running in memory of a loved one, with the incredible support they offer regularly being praised as the best in the world”

(04/09/2019) Views: 1,550 ⚡AMP

Four firefighters from Cheshire are running the Greater Manchester Marathon in full gear to raise money for charity

The group will be running the marathon, on Sunday April 7 in full gear to raise money for Mind and the Firefighters Charity.

The firefighters who have signed up are Ashley Powell (Wilmslow & Middlewich), Paul Leigh (Crewe & Middlewich), Simon Calvert (Middlewich) and Peter Daniel (Middlewich).

The group have taken part in a number of 5km, 10km and half marathons in the past but this will be the first time they have entered a full marathon.

“This will not be our first challenge,” says Ashley Powell, “but it will certainly be our biggest. The uniform we will be wearing is very, very warm and we have to ensure we drink plenty of fluids throughout the course – you can usually wring out our jackets afterword’s with the sweat!

“The events are always a fantastic atmosphere, with all Manchester roads closed off and dedicated to the runners and supporters, it is amazing to be able to run with the iconic buildings and scenery along the way. We know it’s going to be tough but as always we will start and finish as a team and raise as much money as possible to support MIND and The Firefighters Charity. And we urge everybody if you ever need help, you only need to ask.

“As members of the emergency services we often are the last call for help and are often seen as only a uniform. But sometimes we all need a helping hand. These two charities are instrumental in supporting not just the rescued but the rescuers too. Mental health awareness is often overlooked but requires just as much support, care and respect as physical health.”

(03/02/2019) Views: 1,681 ⚡AMP

Steve Bassan was told 16 years ago that he would have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair now is running his 100th marathon

A 65-year-old man who was told that he would need to prepare to spend his life in a wheelchair is set to tackle his 100th marathon in Manchester UK next month. 16 years ago, doctors told Steve Bassam that his rheumatoid arthritis had become so severe that he would be unable to walk, yet, remarkably, by 2004, his condition was in remission – which is when he discovered running. Sunday April 8 will be a very special day for Steve, he selected the Manchester Marathon to be his 100th marathon. Steve completed his first 5k after being informed that his condition had gone into remission and, two years later, completed his first marathon. At the finish line, he saw someone wearing a ‘100 marathon club’ jersey and thought to himself, 'that’s my new ambition'. “I became driven by the ambition to run 100 marathons,” says Steve. “I have chosen Manchester to be my 100th as it is my local marathon, and will be supported by many of my friends from the Middleton Harriers Running Club, the Club I am a member.” (03/30/2018) Views: 1,541 ⚡AMP

Claire Lomas wants to finish the Greater Manchester Marathon in 10 days

Paralysed from the chest down Claire Lomas will walk the Greater Manchester Marathon with the help of a ‘robotic suit’... and she reckons it will take her up to 10 days.

Inspirational Claire Lomas will take on the 26.2 mile course on April 8 along with thousands of runners. The 37-year-old was injured in a freak horse riding accident in 2007, which affected her spine and left her paralysed. Since then, Claire has set about inspiring others by taking on endurance events.

She has raised more than $700,000 for research into spinal cord injuries. Claire completed the London Marathon in 2012, finishing in 17 days. She is now preparing to take on the Greater Manchester marathon - and hope to finish seven days quicker.

(03/13/2018) Views: 2,045 ⚡AMP

This will be a great experience for the kids at the Greater Manchester Marathon

Kids can now take part in this year’s Greater Manchester Marathon with a special one-mile race. The event has been created for five to 11-year-olds. Race organisers, Xtra Mile Events, expects up to 1,000 children to take part in the Family Mile on April 8. Nick Rusling, CEO of the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half Marathon, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the Family Mile, which gives kids the chance to really feel involved in the excitement of the race. “We have set up a great experience for young runners – the course starts and finishes at the same places as the official marathon does which makes it even more exciting, especially at the finish line.” (02/16/2018) Views: 1,467 ⚡AMP
Kids Running

Final Call For Greater Manchester Marathon

Midnight this evening (31 January) is the final point in which you can take advantage of the standard individual entry for the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon. It is also the last day in which you will be able to get your number personalised with your name in time for race day on Sunday 8 April. As ever, demand has been high for the 26.2 mile event and it is anticipated that the race will match the 8,500 runners it attracted in 2017. Regarded as one of the friendliest marathons in the UK. (01/31/2018) Views: 1,144 ⚡AMP