GREAT RUN: 38,000 RUNNERS TAKE ON THE BIGGEST EVER AJ BELL GREAT MANCHESTER RUN

Manchester’s original and best-loved running event, the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run, filled the streets of the city with colour on Sunday 31st May with 38,000 runners, cheered on by over 150,000 supporters – the biggest year yet!

The unique heritage and atmosphere of Manchester made the Great Manchester Run an unforgettable experience for all involved. The sold out event was a real celebration of community, inclusion and Northern pride as runners powered onto greatness raising over £5million for charity.

Founder and President of the Great Run Company Sir Brendan Foster said:

“Manchester once again did not disappoint. We saw some exceptional performances from the international and British elite runners before our everyday runners filled the streets, many of them running for a cause close to their hearts and raising an unbelievable amount for charity. The Great Manchester Run is always a real celebration of how the city and running come together – and we will be back again next year to do it all again.”

Manchester Made Moments

Former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield CBE, Renowned for his feats of physical endurance in aid of motor neurone disease (MND) research, started the Elite Men and masses before jumping down to join a group of fellow MND charity runners to take on the course.

He was joined on official starters duty by Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, and actor, writer, producer and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Sally Lindsay MBE.

Mo Tagari, Chief Technology Officer, AJ Bell (Great Run Series Title partner) said: “The Great Manchester Run is a brilliant example of what makes mass participation events so special, bringing together people of all abilities to achieve something personal while making a huge difference for others. We’re especially proud of the support shown for our Charity of the Year, Alzheimer’s Society, with thousands of runners helping to raise vital funds and awareness. It’s a truly special day for Manchester and beyond.”

Outstanding Elite Performances

The morning kicked off with the Half Marathon with Alex Durant (City of Sheffield AC) first across the line in 01:05:48, and Georgia Stanfield (Trentham RC) the fastest Female completing the distance in 01:18:17.

The Elite’s Men’s 10K race then saw a repeat battle of 2025 with defending champion Selemon Barega (Ethiopia) and Santiago Catrofe of Uruguay, second last year, sprinting for the finish line. Barega successfully retained his title crossing the line in 00:27:37, with Catrofe close behind in 00:27:39 and Oscar Chelimo of Uganda in third in 00:27:42

The elite women’s 10K race saw Klara Lukan from Slovenia take the crown in 00:30:58. American Weini Kelati, finished second in 00:31:17 with Britain’s Amy-Eloise Neale taking third place in 00:32:16.

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run also featured the UK Athletics 10K Road Championships, with Marc Scott (Richmond & Zetland), and Amy Eloise Neale (Wakefield District Harriers & Athletic Club) taking the top honours. Both will now be invited to complete in the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut, USA, the events sister race, in November.

The Female Wheelchair 10K saw a new course record set by double Paralympian Melanie Woods in 00:24:09, whilst defending champion David Weir clinched a 10th Great Manchester title in the Men’s Wheelchair in 00:21:19.