Sport
2024 Manchester Half Marathon makes history after record-breaking year
A day to be proud of all-round.
History has been made following the 2024 Manchester Half Marathon as the annual event had a record-breaking year and reminded us yet again why we love it so much.
Started back in 2016, the Manchester Half isn’t even a decade in yet but it’s already one of the biggest dates on the Manc sporting calendar and draws in huge crowds every year; in fact, this year was the largest ever – at least in terms of runners anyway.
That’s right, this year’s Manchester Half Marathon saw a record 24,000 participants pound the pavement on Sunday, 13 October 2024 and even more spectators line the streets even on a chilly autumn day.
The achievements don’t stop there either.
As well as the most runners in the history of the MCR Half, the 13.1-mile race also managed to raise a whopping £1.4 million (including Gift Aid) for charity. Incredible stuff.
Be it for the official charity partners – Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK and The Christie – or other national and local organisations passionately picked by the participants themselves, they didn’t just give it their all out on the course, they made a huge difference too.
Even better still, as well as some famous faces taking part, the 2024 event also saw three new course records set by three incredible individuals.
Sean Frame smashed the best-ever time in the Elite Wheelchair category, finishing in just 48:24; meanwhile, PUMA athletes Jack Rowe and Lucy Reid both ran personal bests of 1:02:12 and 01:09:13, respectively.
Unreal times and there were plenty more unreal people out there too.
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With an increase of approximately 45% more sign-ups this year, it’s safe to say that the 2024 Manchester Half Marathon was a bumper year for the race and we expect similar scenes in 2025.
Andrew Smith, CEO of Manchester Half event organiser, Human Race, commented: “We’ve just delivered the largest half marathon Manchester has ever seen, and I couldn’t be prouder of everybody involved, including our amazing volunteers.
“I’ve spoken to as many finishers as possible, and the feedback has been amazing. It’s a massive credit to Trafford, and the whole of Greater Manchester, that people are travelling from all over the UK to experience this atmosphere.
“Over a million pounds for charity and rising is particularly special for me and the team, but all the credit for that must go to our incredible participants who have been training and fundraising for months. Today has set a very high bar for next year, but we’re already planning how we can top it.”
Well done to everyone who took part; we’re all super proud of you and we hope the legs have recovered by now. You can sign up for 2025 HERE – see you next year!
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Manchester Half (supplied)
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
- Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
- Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
- Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
- Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
- Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Should be a laugh – see you there?
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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Sport
John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
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Featured Images — Premier League/Man City (screenshot via IG)/Brad Tutterow (via Flickr)
Danny Jones -
16th October 2024 
