One of the biggest bike ride events in the country, dubbed a ‘carnival on wheels’, is coming to Manchester this year.
The Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) was set up in London following the murder of George Floyd, which took place on 25 May 2020 and set shockwaves around the world.
Now, as the event is looking to reach across the UK, the event celebrating Black culture, joy, empowerment and unity is coming to our city region and its surrounding areas for the first time ever.
It’s set to be a truly brilliant and inspiring event.
Teaming up with London Marathon Events (LME) once again, the mass participation veterans have been lending expertise since 2021, and now they’ve reached a new five-year agreement to help continue strengthening BUBR and, hopefully, create a national movement by setting up in two new cities.
Manchester marks the first stage of the Black Unity Bike Ride expansion, which will see thousands take to cycling from Alexandra Park in Moss Side on a 12-mile route through the city and back to the beautiful outdoor space.
Aiming to mirror the success of the flagship BUBR event down in the capital, Manc participants and supporters can expect a vibrant, ‘festival feel’ with pumping music throughout.
Back at Alexandra Park, there’ll be even a huge pop-up home base for the event, bringing together Greater Manchester’s Black community with a big food and vendor village, more music and an uplifting atmosphere all day long.
The inaugural Manchester event will come just a fortnight after the sixth annual edition of the founding Black Unity Bike Ride in London, which sees waves of cyclists take on 17 miles, starting at Leyton Sports Ground and finishing in Dulwich Park.
Credit: Black Unity Bike Ride Manchester (supplied)
Promising route leaders, cheer zones and pitstops on the route, plenty of music, not to mention various indie food and drink traders pulling from a wide range of different ethnicities and cuisines, it’s this kind of full-on festival energy that BUBR Manchester is striving to capture.
Once again, it’s a ‘carnival on wheels’.
BUBR MCR 2025 will take place on Sunday, 17 August, the birthday of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a key political activist – the forefather of the ‘Garveyism ideology – as well as publisher, journalist and orator who has his own national day named after him in his home country of Jamaica.
He advocated for the empowerment and rights of African descendants and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA), in addition to organising America’s first-ever Black nationalist movement.
You can see the event documentary film, which chronicles last year’s Black Unity Bike Ride in full down below. It really is a moving watch – pardon the pun.
It’s also worth noting that the Black Unity Bike Ride Fest is completely FREE, as the goal is to get as many people as possible. You can sign up
BUBR founder, Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, said of the upcoming event: “What began as a bold idea on London’s streets has grown into a national movement. We are very excited to bring the event to Manchester, it has been an aspiration for a few years so we can’t wait until Sunday, 17 August.”
“BUBR has valued London Marathon Events’ support since 2021, and we are very proud to extend this relationship with a new five-year commitment. The partnership is a true statement of intent when it comes to community, inclusion and inspiring active lives.”
BUBR has been to Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana and more; Manchester is up next and there’ll be another new home in 2026.
Nike and go-to online running shoe suppliers confirmed as new sponsors for Altrincham 10k
Danny Jones
The annual Altrincham 10k just got a whole lot bigger and better ahead of this year’s run, as the annual race has just notched Nike as one of their new lead sponsors – and that’s not all.
Alty’s annual race is also being backed by SportsShoes.com, a.k.a. the go-to trainers supplier for so many runners, who will be presenting the 2025 edition in partnership with RunThroughUK.
Now part of RunThrough North‘s regular programme, Altrincham 10k continues to grow in size with each passing year, as demonstrated by getting such prestigious sponsors on board.
Taking place this weekend, the 2025 Alty 10k could just be the biggest yet.
We are thrilled to announce that we are teaming up with @Nike & @sportsshoes_com to bring the town an unforgettable race day 🤝
📅 Sunday 7th September 🏃 3,500 runners 👟 Closed roads ⚡️ Electric atmosphere
Set to welcome approximately 3,500 runners to the Trafford market town’s central streets, the Altrincham 10k is one of the final large-scale running events on the local calendar.
Aligning both famous brands with the heart of Altrincham’s running community and, indeed, giving Greater Manchester’s wider sports culture, it’s yet more prestige for 0161.
The 2025 race will also see Nike showcase its latest road running line-up, including the newest max cushioning shoe: the ‘Vomero Plus’; the responsive ‘Pegasus’ everyday trainer, as well as supportive ‘Structure’ model, meaning runners will get a chance to sample their latest styles.
As well as support from SportsShoes.com and official Nike ambassadors, North West native and GB triathlete Katie Halligan, Hits Radio presenter and ultra runner Hattie Pearson, as well as local Manc artist Emma Evans will all be there too.
These equally inspiring women have also been chosen to help represent Nike and RunThrough’s shared mission of attracting more female runners, as shown with events such asthe recent 2025 Women’s Run Series back in April.
Co-Founder of RunThrough, Matt Wood, said of the new partnership: “Welcoming Nike as title sponsor of the Altrincham 10K, alongside our long-standing partner SportsShoes.com, is a huge milestone for the event.
“This partnership highlights the growth of our community and the strength of our brand. We can’t wait to support the thousands of runners taking part in the Nike Altrincham 10K, Presented by SportsShoes.com.”
As for SportShoes, brand manager Gavin Bannister added: “The energy around this year’s 10K will be electric, and we can’t wait to see everyone out there chasing their goals and celebrating the power of running.
“From our own athletes to first-time runners, this event is all about showing up, pushing limits, and being part of something truly special, and that is what Nike and Sportsshoes.com are all about.”
Entries are still open for any of those interested in a last-minute place in the race on Sunday, 7 September – you can sign up HERE.
Manchester United’s Stadium Sleep Out returns for 2025
Danny Jones
Man United have announced the return of the annual Stadium Sleep Out for 2025, with a bigger fundraising target than ever.
Following a hugely successful inaugural edition back in 2022, the now annual Stadium Sleep Out at Old Trafford is back for another year, with more eyes on the crucial charity event than ever.
Confirming the date for the first stadium sleepover as the colder months approach, people from all over Greater Manchester are being invited to come and help generate money for the local homeless community.
For anyone unfamiliar with the fundraiser, United supporters, general football fans and all manner of Mancs are encouraged to come and take part in the Sleep Out that is held under the lights of the famous football ground.
Raising funds in support of relevant local charities that not only help homeless people throughout the North West and beyond, but have a special focus on vulnerable young adults, to amounts generated go towards helping rough sleepers around the region.
A cause we’re sure you’ll agree we can all get behind.
Make that more like £40,000 raised with Centrpoint last year.
Speaking on the most recent iteration of the Stadium Sleep Out, former academy graduate and now retired pro Danny Simpson told The Manc: “I’m a local boy, so it means something to me to try and help my community in any way I can.
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact the Foundation has, and it’s been great to hear about the work they’re doing – it’s been a really positive night.”
Not only is it a touching way to try and raise money for a national crisis, but it’s a window into the prevailing hardships of homelessness.
All participants must be 18 years of age or older, but if you’re interested in swapping your bed for a sleeping bag on 7 November, you can find out more HERE.
Danny Jones -
22nd July 2025 
