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JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 

An incredible turnout, and this thing has the scope to become absolutely massive, far beyond Greater Manchester.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th February 2026

Native run club and growing viral fitness phenomenon MADE Running made a bit of local history this past weekend by teaming up with JD Sports and Nike to host the first-ever 5k race inside The Trafford Centre.

Yes, you read that right – and this is just the start…

Many of us have wondered what it would be like to see what the iconic Greater Manchester shopping destination is like after it closes, but in our case, these lot genuinely realised a childhood dream of ours: opening up the place for just you and your mates and running full tilt through its stunning, shiny halls.

In the case of MADE, they’re no strangers to shutting down major Manc thoroughfares with the hundreds that flock to their regular running meets throughout the week.

As for the landmark 5k run in and around The Trafford Centre, a huge turn-out of runners started outside the JD megastore on Sunday 8 February, before looping around the interior, through the food court, out into the car park and back inside – even more came out, and from all over.

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The event was put on thanks to JD, in celebration of their new ‘We Run This City’ campaign, showcasing Nike Performance products.

The new range includes ‘running basics, just better’, three head-turning running shoes – the Vomero Plus, the Vomero 18, and the Pegasus Premium – and athleisure pieces that slip seamlessly into your daily wardrobe. 

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This latest JD and Nike campaign has been created to keep the motivation and momentum of the new year going well into 2026, with ‘the looks to run this city’. 

And as part of the campaign, JD teamed up with MADE Running for the Trafford Centre run event over the weekend, which had people gathering from all over – elsewhere in the North West, the Midlands, Scotland, London and even as far as Dubai.

It’s an emotional event that perfectly captured the spirit of the Nike collection and of Manchester, with founder Hermen Dange telling the assembled runners that he was in prison just a few years ago, and now the balance of good fortune, humility and the drive to be better has transformed their lives, and continues to do the same for so many.

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Fast forward to today, and he’s met with the Nike CEO and his ever-growing crew are decked out in one of the hottest running shoes around right now, the ‘Vomero’, with more height and (most importantly) more comfort.

JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 
JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 
JD Sports, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre 

Following plenty of pre-event festivities, including a live DJ, shoe try-ons and impromptu dance-offs, the elite runners got underway, followed by hordes of others who aren’t just putting their work ethic through its paces but had an incredibly fresh start time, with people arriving from as early as 6:30am.

Not only is this way earlier than most parkruns up and down the country, but seeing such commitment from Mancs and many other attendees en masse was genuinely inspiring.

That pretty much sums up everything you need to know about what Hermen and co. have created, to be honest. You only had to see how people looked and listened to his emotional speeches before and after the run.

The run’s warm-up was quickly followed by another motivational speech to cheer runners on, with plenty of hugs and even tears shared. 

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MADE Running’s journey is a mad one, not least because of the countless people who’ve helped make it happen, and with Hermen informing those who travelled all manner of distances that the hope is for this to be just the first of several similar events, the inaugural MADE Running UK tour was officially teased.

Watch this space and keep your eyes peeled for dates coming soon.

And you can browse the full Nike ‘We Run This City’ with JD HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo

JD has just launched a brand-new in-store cafe at the Trafford Centre, with a huge iced drink giveaway planned for its opening weekend. 

iced. opened earlier this week and we couldn’t be more chuffed they’ve chosen Manchester as their third UK location.

The cafe is set to supply a range of matchas, coffees, teas, shakes and some delicious sweet treats to choose from while you shop – as if we needed any further encouragement to do some retail therapy.

iced.’s menu contains some of our favourites, including banana bread matchas, white mocha clouds, and strawberry cream shakes.

JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group

What better way to browse the latest fashion, sports, and lifestyle brands than with an iced matcha in hand?

To celebrate, iced. are offering a free drink to each of the first 200 customers each day this weekend.

Simply head on inside JD Sport in Trafford Centre, to claim a free drink of your choice  this Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, while stocks last. 

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iced. will be open on Mondays to Fridays from 9am-10pm, Saturdays from 9am-9pm, and Sundays from 11:30am-6pm.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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Manchester City’s Stadium Tours are back for the summer and bigger than ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester City stadium tours are back for summer 2026, with more to see from the home of the Blues than ever, and with 15% off all tickets until the end of August, too.

It’s safe to say that Man City are going through a HUGE period of change right now: embarking on a new era under Enzo Maresca following the dynasty of Pep Guardiola, vast redevelopments of the wider Etihad Campus, a new club hotel, and the expansion of the North Stand – now named after said Catalan coach.

With that in mind, there’s so much new stuff going on over in East Manchester and arguably more of it all happening in one place than we can recall in recent memory, making it the perfect time for Cityzens to return to the famous home ground – indeed, your Etihad debut if you haven’t made one already.

So let’s see what there is on offer, shall we?

Giving you greater access to areas usually reserved for players and staff only than ever, this exclusive, interactive and virtual tour will take you through the very bones of the storied sporting arena, all the way through to pitchside.

Fans can explore the dressing room and follow in the footsteps of their favourite City players as they walk through the iconic glass players’ tunnel, before walking out into the open air and sitting in the dugout to take in that incredible view.

You can also try out the latest ‘Beyond the Blue Moon’ experience – an immersive VR adventure that sees supporters journey through Manchester City’s past, present, and future.

Following on from Pep lending his likeness, using innovative technology, you can now even have the chance to put your questions to Erling Haaland in the Press Conference Room.

man city museum
etihad stadium city tours
mcfc stadium tours
Credit: The Manc

There aren’t many teams on the planet that offer this level of stadium tour, let alone just here in the UK, so it’s no wonder they remain award-winning almost every single year.

Whether you’re a lifelong City fan, a football lover or visiting this wonderful place we call Manchester for the very first time, there’s something for everyone.

For instance, with The Medlock Hotel and accompanying Medlock Square already lining up its maiden events, the City Football Group (CFG) are once again committing to make the wider Etihad Campus an all-year-round entertainment destination.

That being said, plenty of people online have been generating a lot of buzz about the aforementioned Medlock’s new stadium-view rooms since clips appeared on social media.

As for the tickets themselves, the club have also taken steps to keep the cost affordable.

Standard prices start from just £32 for adults and only £20 for under-16s, with larger family packages available from £60.

BUT, with the 15% discount mentioned earlier, adults currently cost just £27; kids go for just £17, and those family passes start from just £51.

You can find all the options when it comes to stadium tour passes and grab the type of admission that suits you right HERE.

Speaking of tickets, City have also been met with praise for the introduction of new discounted seats for local residents; find out all the details below.

When Manchester City’s cheap tickets for £10 or less go live, and how to get your hands on them
We need more initiatives like this.

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For all the latest news, events and goings-on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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