Due to unprecedented demand from tens of thousands of hopeful participants, the 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon is set to release its final round of entry places on Monday, 8 January.
So, if you’re looking to book on to the fourth largest marathon in all of Europe, not to mention one of the most well-spectated and family-friendly runs on the continent, you best set an alarm and get ready.
This year’s early and general entries for the Manchester Marathon sold out in just 24 hours, with 30,000 participants expected to run the 26.2-mile (or 42.195km) route on Sunday, 14 April.
That being said, thousands who were hoping to take part unfortunately missed out on a place — but now they’re being given one last chance to sign up for the run.
That could be you at the starting line. (Credit: Paul Currie)
Since the organisers want 2024 to be the biggest in the event’s history, they have decided to release Final Entries for a limited time only, meaning those who previously registered their interest will get a shot at jumping from the waiting list to the starting line.
With the entry window opening from 6pm on Monday, 8 January, there will be an additional 10% of final participant places released to the public, so you better be faster than Kipchoge.
Operating on a first come first served basis, those who have registered interest will receive an email containing a priority sign-up link. If you have opted in to receive a text message, you will also receive a sign-up link via SMS. Keep that phone to hand, folks.
Upwards of 125,000 spectators are expected to line the streets throughout Greater Manchester to offer support to participants as they go by, but you best be quick if you’re hoping to be one of them.
This is your last chance for final entry on the 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon. (Credit: Supplied)
Every participant who signs up for this year’s adidas Manchester Marathon will also be contributing to the Trafford Active Fund, with event organisers Human Race donating £1 of each entry directly to the scheme.
The Fund offers local groups the chance to receive a special allocation of funding to build a long-lasting sport and physical activity legacy across the 10 boroughs. What’s more, as part of the eco-friendly ‘Green Runner’ initiative, City of Trees has been appointed as the event’s official Green Runner charity.
The initiative strives to improve the event’s sustainability credentials, reducing its overall environmental impact. Ultimately, the adidas Manchester Marathon aims to donate £5,000 to support the planting of trees across Greater Manchester.
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of the official adidas Manchester Marathon event organiser, Human Race, said:“We are looking forward to welcoming this year’s participants, from elite runners to those who never dreamed of taking part in a marathon before now.
“We just know that the iconic Mancunian atmosphere will make for a magical experience. Good luck to everyone who has signed up and see you all at the start line in April!” For anyone who wants to find out more about how Final Entires, you can do so HERE — and best of luck for those trying on Monday!
Featured Images — adidas Manchester Marathon/Paul Currie (supplied)
Sport
Manchester United appoint new Academy Director with more youth players set to join first-team training
Danny Jones
Manchester United have appointed a new Academy Director in the form of former footballer turned coach Stephen Torpey.
Signing the retired Kirkby-born forward from fellow Premier League side Brentford FC, Torpey arrives at the newly regenerated Carrington Training Complex with a strong pedigree.
The 43-year-old – who spent time at Greater Manchester clubs like Altrincham, Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Staylbridge Celtic and FC United as a pro – joined Brentford last January, but has now made the move up North.
Announced this week, Stephen Torpey officially will replace former academy boss Nick Cox, who left the club after the best part of a decade back in June.
ℹ️ Stephen Torpey has been appointed Academy Director of Manchester United.
Having been reportedly head-hunted by INEOS and Man United’s Director of Football, Jason Wilcox (who is still only recently installed himself), the ex-Bees coach was confirmed on Thursday, 21 August.
Speaking on the appointment, Wilcox wrote in a club statement: “After an extensive recruitment process, we are delighted to have appointed Stephen at such an exciting time for our Academy.
“Stephen’s record of youth development is outstanding; throughout his career, he has played a significant role in the development of some of the most talented players in the country.
“We will work closely together to ensure that the Academy continues to foster the right environment to nurture our young players individually while developing the best talent ready to excel in our first team.”
As for Torpey, he said: “I am really proud to have this opportunity to lead Manchester United’s Academy. It is obviously a great time to be joining as the club enters an exciting new era; I can’t wait to play my role in continuing the incredible tradition of youth development here.”
Torpey went on to add: “After spending time with the leadership team, it is clear that the Academy will always remain key to the identity of Manchester United, with our primary aim being to produce players ready to support a first team capable of challenging for the biggest honours.”
You can find out more about the new United Academy Director, Stephen Torpey, and his background here.
Having famously disproven the ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ belief put forward by Alan Hansen on multiple occasions over the past three decades, it looks like manager Ruben Amorim is once again looking to turn inwards to find future gems in addition to a plethora of new signings.
Brentford also have a reputation for blooding in previously unknown young players along with their clever ‘Moneyball’ recruitment, especially as they have risen up the football pyramid in recent years, so United supporters will no doubt he hoping for similar results at Old Trafford.
The UEFA A-licensed coach has worked with both Man City and Liverpool youth setups, not to mention overseeing the relaunch of Brentford’s full academy programme from U9s to U18s; boasting a wealth of experience, and it already looks like even more youngsters are set to be gradually pushed forward.
Amorim has already given minutes to the likes of Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson and Chido Obi, just to name a few. With that in mind, it looks like others will soon be flirting with first-team training and perhaps senior appearances.
Sale Sharks drop Haçienda-inspired away kit for the 2025/26 season
Danny Jones
Local rugby side Sale Sharks have just released their new away kit for the 2025/26 season, taking inspiration from Manchester’s legendary nightclub, The Haçienda.
The Greater Manchester club have a great run with Macron as their suppliers, with the Italian sportswear manufacturer coming on board in 2021, but this might be one of their best shirts yet.
After teasing the latest jersey with a ‘This is OUR NORTH’ trailer on Wednesday, 20 August, ahead of the Premiership Rugby season getting underway next month, supporters were excited to see what the pair had come up with for their latest design.
Turns out, they had every reason to be, as the 25/26 Sale Sharks kit has gone down as an instant hit, with the rich, almost wine coloured number integrating that iconic Haçienda pattern.
With Sharks men’s and women’s stars Carmen Castellucci, recent signing Nathan Jibulu, Nikita Prothero, Sam Dugdale, and Ernst van Rhyn all getting involved for the kit reveal, the new away shirt went on sale this Thursday morning (10 Aug).
Aside from the recognisable chevron pattern, which nods to the famous Mancunian music venue and the city’s storied clubbing scene, the launch video was filmed within a special exhibition in honour of the man behind The Haçienda and co-founder of Factory Records, the one and only Tony Wilson.
Plenty of tourists have visited the city to see the Tony Wilson Exhibition at the Smolensky Gallery – the showcase having just ended this past July – but this short shoot looks to help extend the celebrations of his legacy.
As for the kit itself, Sale Sharks and Macron have gone for another very Mancunian colour scheme, it would seem, choosing magenta and Bordeaux hues as a tribute to another one of our most famous creations: Vimto.
You’ve just got to love a kit with multiple hometown references.
It might not be full-on black and yellow (Man City already did that a couple of years ago), but it’s still an eye-catching pattern and colour combo.
Other little touches that will no doubt please fans include the embossed print depicting a shark fin at the bottom of the shirt and the date 1861 – the year the rugby union team was founded.
While plant-based ‘super food’ sponsor BOL takes pride of place in the front of the female jerseys, the men’s team remain with Toshiba, and the shirts themselves are made from Eco Fabric: 100% polyester derived from post-consumer recycled plastic.
So, what do you make of the new and very Manc away shirt, Sale Sharks fans? All we know is it’s been a great summer for kits all-round.
Danny Jones -
6th January 2024 
