Youngsters are being encouraged to take part in the Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run in just a couple of weeks time.
The iconic Great Manchester Run will take place on Sunday 22 May, and is set to see tens of thousands of runners from across the region and beyond take to the city’s streets for either a 10k race or a half marathon – but it’s not just the grown-ups that are being encouraged to challenge themselves either, as budding athletes can also get in on the action too.
Returning to The Etihad on Saturday 21 May, the Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run is giving little Mancs the chance to lace up their running shoes and join in.
The Mini run is for dinky dashers aged three-eight over a 1.5k course, while the 2.5k Junior event is for those aged nine-15.
“By popular demand, the Junior and Mini event has moved back to Saturday as a standalone event, meaning that families can make a day of it at the Etihad and care givers still have the chance to take part in the 10K or Half Marathon events on Sunday, explains” Event Manager Sharon Angel.
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“It’s never too early to give your kids a taste of that big-event buzz and inspire a lifelong love of being active.”
Youngsters are being encouraged to take part in the 2022 Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run / Credit: Great Manchester Run
She also added there will be “lots to see and do for the whole family.”
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With athletics superstars Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan performing official starters duties for the around 1,500 runners expected to take part in the event in just a few weeks time, young people are also being encouraged to “embrace” the city’s worker bee emblem by taking a massive bee themed fancy dress competition on the day.
Some of the youngsters already signed-up to take part in this year’s event will be running for a number of really worthy causes.
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Five-year-old Lola Monks from Tottington in Bury will be running for the neonatal unit at Royal Bolton Hospital, as she spent 244 days there after being born 11 weeks premature, and she is now ready to try and give back to those who “helped her survive”.
Lola’s mum Gemma said it’s “a small token of appreciation” and thanks for a debt that can never be truly repaid, and they know the nurses and doctors who cared for Lola would be thrilled and amazed to see her do something like this.
The Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run is returning to The Etihad on Saturday 21 May 2022 / Credit: Great Manchester Run
It’s not just the grown-ups who have the chance to challenge themselves / Credit: Great Manchester Run
Similarly, eight-year-old Alexander Grey from Sale will be running to raise awareness of children just like him who are born with Prader-Willi Syndrome – a complex rare genetic disorder caused by a chromosomal abnormality that results in problems including constant urges to eat, restricted growth, learning difficulties, and decreased muscle tone – and he is hoping to raise money for the Prader-Willi Association UK.
Read more: Water pistols, DJs and an apres-run zone added to Great Manchester Run for 2022
“Alexander has many challenges in his life which he has to overcome on every day basis,” Mum Pavlina explains.
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“One of the biggest challenges is the food obsession, as his brain constantly tells him that he feels hungry, and his muscle tone is very poor which makes it very hard for him to exercise and keep up.”
Around 1,500 young people are expected to take part in the event in just a few weeks time / Credit: Great Manchester Run
Fancy it then? There’s still plenty of time to be a part of what is set to be a fun day out for all the family at the Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run.
You can find more information, and stick your little one’s name down here.
Featured Image – Great Manchester Run
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Dance icons Faithless to host huge outdoor DJ party in north west
Daisy Jackson
Faithless, one of the biggest names in dance and electronic music, will be hosting a blistering DJ set in a beautiful outdoor setting this summer.
World-renowned DJ and record producer Sister Bliss will be taking to the decks at Carlisle Racecourse, as part of a packed calendar of events for The Jockey Club Live.
Taking place on Saturday 8 July after the racing, the plan is to transport this corner of Cumbria back to the heyday of dance music.
Sister Bliss was the musical force behind Faithless, together with the band’s late, great frontman Maxi Jazz and producer Rollo Armstrong.
The group’s music career spanned 17 years, selling more than 15 million records worldwide and playing live to millions across the globe.
They’ve headlined festivals and arenas and released timeless songs like ‘Insomnia’, ‘God is a DJ’, and ‘We Come 1’.
Following her 28-year career that went from the underground UK club scene to the biggest stages in the world, Sister Bliss has deservedly established herself as one of Britain’s most iconic electronic artists.
Sister Bliss of Faithless. Credit: Supplied
Helen Willis, general manager of Carlisle Racecourse, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sister Bliss to Carlisle Racecourse for a Faithless DJ Set.
“Faithless are one of the most iconic giants of electronic music and we know fans will be dancing the night away to their biggest hits and more on Saturday 8 July.”
Sister Bliss said: “Summer outdoor shows are some of my absolute favourites and the crowd response is always remarkable.
“We have a spectacular show planned so can’t wait to see you all there!”
The Jockey Club Live events blend an exciting evening at the races with spectacular live music, with other names performing across the north west this summer including Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classic, Craig David, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC.
The Faithless DJ Set fixture coincides with the OEE Great Community Raceday, brought to you by OEE Container Technology Ltd.
Last year, the event raised over £3,000 for six different Cumbrian charities. £1 from every advanced ticket sold will be donated to the selected charities as part of the Great Community Raceday.
Coronation Street legend Hilda Ogden has been recreated from flowers at The Royal Exchange in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A floral tribute to Coronation Street great Hilda Ogden has appeared in the heart of Manchester this week.
The iconic soap character has been recreated from flowers, grasses and other plant life, down to her ever-present hair curlers.
The floral Hilda is in position at The Royal Exchange this week, ready for the Manchester Flower Festival.
The beautiful building will also be hosting a Bee Trail treasure hunt for the occasion on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May.
Friends, families, couples and any other fun-seekers are invited down to solve the clues and find the bees, with prizes up for grabs like a £100 voucher to spend at French Connection, Afternoon Tea for Two at Annies, a £50 floral bouquet from Royal Exchange Flowers, a meal for two at Pastan, vouchers from TGI Fridays and Michaels coffeehouse, and gifts from Hotel Chocolat, L’Occitane, The Body Shop and Sostrene Grene.
All you need to do is come along, pick up an entry form from one of the above-mentioned participating stores and get stuck in.
The floral Hilda Ogden at the Royal Exchange. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Royal Exchange is taking part in the Manchester Flower Festival. Credit: The Manc Group
The entire city will burst into colour with blooms installed all over our shops and streets for the late May bank holiday weekend.
You can find the floral Hilda in the Royal Exchange Arcade from today.
She stands in a garden of late spring flowers, alongside an armchair where people can capture a selfie, with hair fashioned from various grasses wrapped around curlers underneath her head scarf and her tabard recreated from a mosaic of fresh flowers including orchids, craspedia, thistles, Limonium and chrysanthemums.
Anyone who snaps a selfie with Hilda, then posts it on Instagram tagging @royalexchangemanchester (you need to follow the page too), could win a £50 voucher to spend at The Royal Exchange.
How to take part in the Bee Trail for the Manchester Flower Festival
Grab an entry form on the day from any of the participating outlets*
Each of the clues will, when solved, direct you to a specific outlet.
Once there, locate the hidden Bee picture and note its unique number down on the entry form next to the store or eatery’s name.
Once you’ve completed the Trail, fill in your contact details and hand your entry form back in to one of the participating stores so that you will be entered in to the draw.
Keep your fingers crossed that you’ve won a prize!
Winners will be drawn and notified within two weeks of the closing date.
Participating outlets: French Connection, Annies restaurant, Pastan, Royal Exchange Flowers, L’Occitane, TGI Fridays, Michaels coffeehouse, Hotel Chocolat, The Body Shop and Sostrene Grene.
The Royal Exchange Manchester Bee Trail runs all day on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May.
And don’t forget your Hilda selfie for an extra chance to win! #HildaSelfie