The Adidas Manchester Marathon is now the fourth largest marathon in Europe. The event has increasingly become a favourite with runners of all abilities, ranging from some of the world’s greatest elite runners, to those who thought completing a marathon would never be possible. It’s the second largest marathon in the UK by a distance, with the 2022 edition seeing over 24,000 runners lace up for the challenge. Rave reviews have seen demand soar, with capacity having more than doubled in size since 2018 to cope. The 2023 staging had a very generous capacity, but despite this, thanks to the huge demand of runners wanting to take part in the UK’s flattest marathon, it very nearly attained the maximum number of participants. and was close to selling out. The Adidas Manchester Marathon continues to commit itself to creating a positive impact on the local area and environment, contributing to the local economy, supporting businesses, and giving back to the community in the form of charitable donations from the Trafford Active Fund. Thousands of runners annually descend on Manchester to take part in this event and delight in the incredible Mancunian support throughout. Runners take a route that reaches from Old Trafford and the city centre to Stretford, Sale, and Altrincham before heading back up towards the finish line at Old Trafford. A flat route and iconic location ensures it always receives well deserved, incredible reviews. The hosts boast that the race is the flattest marathon course in the UK, with only 54 metres (177 ft of elevation). The event has a rich history dating back as far as 1908, the annual event has become a destination for keen runners from all over the country who are looking to bag a personal best, this year’s weather conditions may have hampered those PB attempts for some as the Spring sunshine made for warm conditions. This year’s marathon also played host to some top competitive athletes as it holds qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games and European Athletics championships. The event also raises millions of pounds for charity, including the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Christies to name but a few. Taking on the marathon were Gillian Jago (4:49:32) and Sarah Myers (5:28:09) – really well done ladies!
