Sport

The Franco Manca ‘pizza run’ explained – it involves freebies

Brb, off to a run a 10k.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th January 2026

If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately – especially among any of your mates that happen to be runners – but just hadn’t bothered to actually ask, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.

And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.

Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.

Including us.

That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.

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Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.

For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…

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So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.

As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.

Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:

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In our case, we joined up with native run club, Manchester Road Runners, for one of their regular social ‘SLRs’ (Sunday Long Run), chalking off 19km, which meant £19 off your next pizza – i.e. FREE and then some, baby.

Not only did the local group give themselves the perfect motivation as part of their training for the 2026 Manchester Marathon, but we also found that the steadier, chatty pace was super helpful for getting through the whole thing.

There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.

Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.

January 2026 deals, discounts and offers at Manchester restaurants and bars

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Franco Manca/MRR

Sport

Stockport County supporters are calling for the ‘perfect’, ‘common-sense’ transfer this window

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stockport County resigning Isaac Tanto Olaofe on loan until end of the season

A significant section of Stockport County supporters are calling for the club to do what many are dubbing not just the ‘perfect’ reinforcement this January transfer window, but following recent developments, what some have called almost ‘common sense’ at this point.

The player in question is Isaac Tanitoluwaloba Aduraoluwatimileyin Olaofe, also known as and more affectionately referred to as ‘Tanto’.

It’s fair to say he was a firm fan favourite during his time at Edgeley Park, and most in the ground would have him back in a heartbeat.

With that in mind, given that County are not only looking to consolidate their promotion/playoff prospects wherever possible, but Tanto’s current club seem to have just nudged him another step down the pecking order, there is a suggestion that various moving parts could see him return to Stockport.

As per local football writer and Stockport correspondent, Sam Byrne (who also helps out on co-comms for County TV), there’s been plenty of interest in the Lewisham-born attacker, as it appears he may be available before the end of the month.

That is on loan, at least; although Charlton Athletic FC only recently signed him this past summer, Tanto had to wait until late two-thirds of the way through October to make his debut, even despite the capital-based club going after him quite persistently with a near record fee.

Fans were gutted to see him go, losing both his goal involvements and a big character around the ground – not to mention a great chant, too.

More crucially, perhaps due to the step from League One to the Championship, or simply not having quite fully settled into the rhythm of his new surroundings, he’s struggled to make much of an impact in his 25 appearances across all competitions.

Registering just a couple of assists and a single goal since arriving at The Valley stadium, compared to his best-ever season at County, when he scored 21 times throughout 2023/24, it’s fair to say that while he’s still put in some impressive peformances that, he hasn’t quite had the same return.

Still sitting as the Hatters’ second-highest scorer (37) since their return to the football league back in 2022, he still managed a dozen finishes and four assists last term, as those kinds of numbers could prove to be a key differential in the Greater Manchester side’s season.

IF they were to “bring him home” as many fans have already urged the board to do so, that is.

One user wrote, “Can you please tweet the following: Stockport County have agreed a deal with Charlton Athletic to sign Tanto Olaofe on a permanent deal until 2029. TIA [thanks in advance]”; another simply added: “Room for tanto back at Stockport county please.”

While Charlton manager Nathan Jones insisted that Tanto “isn’t going anywhere”, and the 26-year-old may obviously prefer plying his trade back in London, now The Addicks have completed the signing of another forward in seasoned EFL striker Lyndon Dykes, the 26-year-old could be competing for minutes.

Between the Scottish international, last year’s talisman, Matty Godden, Charlie Kelman and youngster Miles Leaburn, there are plenty of offensive options to choose from.

There has also been plenty of pull for the recruitment team to bring back former loan star, Louie Barry – who hasn’t enjoyed the same kind of form since leaving Dave Challinor’s squad either – with the Aston Villa youth product having also sparked some conversation after a recent profile picture change…

Once again, lots of this remains merely speculation for now, but it can’t be denied that there is a clamour from a sizeable amount of fans to bring either one or both of them back if possible.

Elsewhere, Stockport County are also very interested in a striker from the Scottish Premiership, with their second bid having been reportedly rejected last week.

Whether or not this affects any potential plans to bring back Isaac Tanto Olaofe as a loanee until the end of the campaign, as rumours continue to hint at, only time will tell. One thing we will say is that a lot can happen in a few days during the transfer window, let alone a few weeks.

Stockport County sign ex-Bolton Wanderers player and ‘important cog’ on a free transfer
Where else would you like to see Stockport strengthen their squad before January deadline day?

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Featured Images — MG Petch (via WikiCommons)/Charlton Athletic (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester hosting next World Climbing Series in 2027

In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.

We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.

Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.

2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.

Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.

Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.

The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.

Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.

As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.

It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.

The Tour de France is coming to Manchester

Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.

“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.

“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”

Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

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