Sport

Limited 10k places left as Great Manchester Run half marathon sells out once again

Go on, you know you want to...

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th May 2025

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon has officially sold out yet again for 2025, with just a small handful of 10k places left.

With thousands of Mancs and visitors to the region having earned themselves glory at this year’s Manchester Marathon, attention has already turned to the next big event: the Great MCR Run.

Returning for its 22nd year, AJ Bell is bringing the Great Manchester Run back to the city, and while tickets for the longest distance may have been snapped up as per usual, anyone debating taking on the 10k still has time to get their bib through the post.

Go on, you know you want the finish line feeling, not to mention a shiny new medal to score some well-deserved free pints on the day.

Yes, while spaces on the Great Manchester Run have already sold out in no time, there are now fewer than 100 still left to grab for the 10k.

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The question is, will you be one of them?

Final entries are available for £45 but there are also a select few charity places for anyone who backs themself to raise enough money before race day.

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Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, with the first runners getting underway from approximately 8:10am, you’ve not got long to decide whether you want to be part of the action.

Having done it multiple times ourselves and with a local gold-medal-winning Olympian getting things underway this year, we can’t recommend it enough.

Credit: AJ Bell

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It’s also worth noting that if you missed out on the half marathon this year but fancy giving the next one a go, you can set a reminder for 2026 entries now.

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One final thing: last-minute Great Manchester Run entrants for the 10k must be aged 15 and over; a booking fee of £2.50 per entry will also be applied at checkout.

Beyond that, provided you’ve got the training under your belt/you already have a solid fitness base, the only thing that’s left to do is get ready for the starting gun. You can even take part in the official shake-out run, if you fancy it.

See you for the post-race pints and hopefully some PB showboating!

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

Featured Images — AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

Sport

Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stockport County safe standing next season 2025/26

Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.

The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.

In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.

Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.

As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.

With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.

Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”

The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”

Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”

This isn’t all they have planned for Edgeley.

Stockport County unveils grand expansion plans to nearly double capacity of Edgeley Park
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.

Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.

“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.

“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”

The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?

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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/Press Shot (via SCFC)

Sport

Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rio Ferdinand leaving TNT Sports

Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.

Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.

However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.

In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”

Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”

Noting that TNT themselves have acquired TV rights for many more live sports in recent times, he assures he will remain an interested viewer for the “exciting future that lies ahead.”

The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.

Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.

For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.

Rio Ferdinand is helping change young lives with community programmes in Oldham and Salford

Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”

However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.

With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.

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

Featured Images — Av Web Summit/James Adams (via Flickr)/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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