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 City said no to a pretty significant player swap with Liverpool last year
Danny Jones
Manchester City reportedly rejected a transfer proposal involving swapping one of their youngest and most exciting stars with close rivals Liverpool in 2024
This could have proved to be an interesting one…
Man City aren’t exactly short on forwards at the moment and have brought in plenty of attacking options over the past year, and with Erling Haaland breaking all manner of records up front for them, they didn’t find it too hard to sell on another promising young striker in Julián Álvarez for a club record sale.
However, as per recent claims made by a Telegraph Sport journalist, there was a possibility of Álvarez swapping the blue of City for the red of Liverpool.
🚨🚨| In summer 2024, when Liverpool realised Luis Díaz wanted to join Man City, their recruitment team proposed the Colombian to the Etihad Stadium in exchange for Julián Alvarez. Man City said: “We don’t sell to rivals." Liverpool said: “Neither do we then."
That’s according to football writer Chris Bascombe, anyway, who recently wrote that the two Premier League sides could have engaged in a player swap deal were the division’s then Treble-winners willing to negotiate with the only other team that has really contested the title with them in recent years.
As you can see, Bascombe states that Luis Díaz wanted a switch to the Etihad Stadium even before the current English champions shuffled their front three.
This has been backed up by The Times’ Paul Joyce as well, who says that the Colombian winger was ultimately “unsettled” by interest from City and others
Díaz (who recently signed for Bayern Munich) made it clear he wanted to play under Pep Guardiola, and it seems there was at least some willingness from the Merseyside outfit.
Provided they get an increasingly wantaway Julián Álvarez in return.
With Haaland having been brought in and making himself comfortably the go-to number nine for what could very well be the next decade, they clearly saw an opportunity to offer him an alternative, but Man City simply said, “We don’t sell to rivals.”
Ultimately, the now 25-year-old World Cup winner went to Europe, joining Atletico Madrid for a whopping £81.5m.
Regardless, it seems hard to imagine not only two top-flight English teams doing a deal like this but to picture what it would have been like to see Álvarez, who was still very highly thought of among a large section of supporters, being cheered on by the fans inside Anfield.
The Argentinian striker – though he has been utilised in a variety of positions at the top end of the pitch – has well and truly shone in La Liga, and now looks like he could be set to swap Madrid for Barcelona.
Álvarez has apparently made it clear to those closest to him that he wants Barca, and despite the summer window closing, the Catalan giants could pursue a deal to sign him next year when his contract expires, or indeed, even go after him this January.
Meanwhile, after bringing in plenty of new talent over the past few months, with Manchester City now effectively being given the green light to proceed with a major commercial sponsorship deal, you could very well see yet more big money being spent in seasons to come.
Harry Kane tears up as he honours England’s first Muslim player
Danny Jones
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane teared up as he honoured Djed Spence with an emotional speech on his England debut, becoming the first Muslim player ever to represent the senior national team.
Another historic night for sport in this country.
In case you didn’t tune in, the result against Serbia was a thrilling 5-0 victory, which saw Thomas Tuchel’s side maintain their unbeaten run, with a five-star performance serving as the perfect way to mark five wins from as many fixtures.
But, again, the headline story of the night was Djed Spence celebrating his faith in the best way possible – not to mention England captain Harry Kane paying sincere tribute to the history-making 25-year-old:
Pretty much everything you see of Harry Kane points towards him being a genuinely sound bloke. He could have just passed that cap over to Djed Spence with empty platitudes but you can tell he really cares.
As you can see, sharing some heartfelt and inspirational words as a former Lilywhite himself, ‘King’ Kane – who was first given the armband back in 2018 ahead of the Euros – spoke highly of the Tottenham Hotspur star following his inaugural national team cap.
Confessing that he himself felt emotional speaking on behalf of Spence, the 32-year-old striker recalled first seeing the wing-back arrive at Spurs just a few short years ago before his eventual departure for Bayern Munich in 2023.
He also shared, “I know what it takes to get here”, and saw what it took on his end to make those same steps forward in his career and ultimately break into the England squad, adding, “credit to you and your family – you deserve this, mate.”
As for the former Nottingham Forest defender himself, writing on social media, Spence said: “Today is arguably the greatest and proudest day of my life. Honoured to make my England debut.
“A day I’ve dreamt of all my life and now has become a reality. GOD IS THE GREATEST! #GODSPEED“
While there have been many individuals from the Islamic faith throughout the footballing pyramid and, indeed, the FA‘s national team youth ranks over the years, Djed Spence becoming the first senior capped Muslim player in our country’s history is nothing short of an incredible milestone.
Speaking to the media after the game, which also saw Harry Kane surpass Sir Bobby Moore as England’s fifth-most capped player of all-time (now on 109), the London-born athlete admitted: “I was surprised because I didn’t know I was the first, so it’s a blessing.
“It’s good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing.”
Here’s hoping he can fly the flag for British Muslims throughout domestic football and help generate further impact on the sporting world beyond that.
Danny Jones -
6th January 2024 
