Sport

All the free things you can get with a Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal this year

Be rude not too.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th May 2025

What’s the best part about doing the Great Manchester Run, we hear you ask? All the freebies, of course. You’ll be glad to hear there are more free things than ever for finishers this year.

More than 35,000 runners are set to take on the challenge, be it the half marathon or the 10k, and we firmly believe every single one of these legends should be entitled to as much free stuff as possible.

If it were up to us, they wouldn’t pay for anything all day, but hey, we make don’t make the rules.

So yeah, without further ado, here are all the freebies you can get for taking part in the Great Manchester 2025.

Free stuff and offers for Great Manchester Runners to cop in 2025

Without further ado, here are a tonne of freebies, discounts and deals you can grab by simply flashing your finisher’s medals:

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free cocktails great manchester run
salon madre cocktails
Credit: The Manc/Supplied
  • Dishoom – Complimentary 330ml Kingfisher/Kingfisher Zero (0.0%) for anyone with anyone dining with a finisher’s medal.
  • Blacklock – Free glass of fizz on us with your medal.
  • Maray –  Free glass of fizz/pint (or non-alcoholic beer/soft) for anyone with a medal who is dining on Sunday
  • Electric Shuffle – Free house wine, prosecco or pint for anyone with a 2025 medal.
  • Salon Madre – 2-4-1 margaritas all day Sunday for anyone with a race medal. 
  • Suki Suki – Free bao bun for anyone with a medal.
  • Refuge/Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – 100 free pints of Manchester Union Beer (first come, first served)
  • Hello Oriental – Discounted soft serve ice cream, plus a free beer or soft drink with any meal for all finishers
  • The Shack – Flash your medal to claim a free glass of Prosecco or beer, plus parties with medals get 20% off their food bill.
  • Dough Religion (House of Social) – half price slice at Manchester Jazz Festival on Sunday
Credit: The Manc Eats

Read more:

We’re sure a few free bits and bobs for half-marathon and 10k runners, but there are all the ones we’ve come across over the past week or so.

That being said, if you spot any, feel free to drop them in the comments and share the wisdom.

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Last but not least, participants and spectators alike can find all the important information they need ahead of race day down below.

And just know, no matter how the day goes, we’re SO proud of you already!

Great Manchester Run guide 2025 – everything you need to know
Go and smash it.

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

Co-creator of Manchester-Blackpool bike ride hoping to reunite with fellow founders for special anniversary

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester to Blackpool bike ride 40th anniversary 2025

One of the co-creators of the much-loved Manchester to Blackpool charity bike ride is looking to reunite with some of his fellow founding members for a very special anniversary of the heartwarming event.

Way back when, Tony O’Dwyer was one of just six original riders who embarked on the bike ride from Manchester – Media City in Salford Quays, more precisely – to the Blackpool seafront, which has gone on to become a beloved and regularly frequented fundraiser.

Fast forward four decades later and not only is the annual cycling event approaching its 40th anniversary, but O’Dwyer himself is looking to take it on yet again, just four days before his 70th birthday.

Oh yeah, it’s worth mentioning he’s done it every year since the beginning – including solo during the pandemic. Simply incredible.

manchester to blackpool bike ride
Go on, Tony, lad! (Credit: The Christie Charity)

To make things even more memorable, the Wigan-born bike-riding legend is calling on his fellow Manchester-Blackpool bike ride founders to join him in a momentous reunion that is both a personal celebration and one that champions the famous fundraising endurance challenge.

It may have started out as little more than half a dozen blokes setting off from Albert Square in Manchester city centre on a pretty ambitious voyage, but it’s gone on to become a North West tradition and a powerful way to support vital causes, not least of all charities like The Christie Foundation.

This year, Tony will be riding once again to raise funds for The Christie in honour of his late father, Franco O’Dwyer, who was cared for by the specialist hospital and research centre after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Franco sadly died 10 years ago, and Tony has been a passionate supporter of the organisation ever since, taking various fundraising challenges even beyond his usual Manchester to Blackpool bike ride.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary edition, Tony said: “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since we first did it. Back in 1985, it was just a group of mates, a few bikes, and the road to Blackpool – we didn’t have the gear, just grit and a bit of madness!

manchester blackpool cycling event
tony odwyer
Credit: Supplied

“We passed through Leigh, Standish, Preston, and St Annes, stopping at pubs and windmills along the way, just enjoying the journey. I’d love to reconnect with the original group – Mike, Barry, Susan, John, Margaret and Christine – it would be brilliant to see where life has taken them.”

“The first time I did the bike ride, I was in fancy dress as a lion, and I’ve done it every year since. I even did it during COVID on my own when the event was postponed, and there were others on the way doing it themselves too, which was amazing to see!”

Crediting The Christie with prolonging his father’s life and giving his family that extra precious time, he’s now proud to fly the flag for the foundation, and they have just as much love for him.

Mass participation events officer Josh Hughff added: “Tony is an incredible ambassador for the Charity and for this event. His dedication over four decades is inspiring, and we’re honoured he continues to ride in support of The Christie Charity.

“His story is a reminder of the lasting power of community, memory, and giving back.”

Read more:

For anyone who’d like to join Tony and be part of ‘Team Christie’ 2025 as they head towards the seaside town’s South Promenade, you can sign up HERE.

As for those pioneers who first took on the challenge all those years ago, if you were part of that original group or know someone who was, please contact Maggie Doyle at The Christie Charity on 07717 532195.

Fingers crossed we can get the gang back together.

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

Featured Images — The Chrisite (supplied)/Leo C. Owen (Pexels)

Sport

Jadon Sancho set for return to Manchester United after Chelsea pay to avoid permanent signing

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jadon Sancho going back to Man United

England winger Jadon Sancho looks like he’s coming back to Manchester United, at least for the time being, following his stint at Chelsea, with the Premier League club opting to pay a penalty in order to avoid signing him full-time.

Sancho was loaned out to the UEFA Conference League winners just over a year ago after falling out with the previous Man United head coach, Erik ten Hag, playing 42 games for the West Londoners.

The naturally gifted winger, who was considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe just a few short years ago, also pulled back on a Borussia Dortmund shirt for a six-month loan spell in January 2024, but his return was never made permanent either.

In the case of Chelsea, despite having an obligation to buy Sancho when they initially signed him last summer, the deal – worth a reported £25 million – included a £5m clause which would allow them to get out of said obligation: a clause that owner Todd Boehly’s club has seemingly to have activated.

As per the likes of The Athletic, Sancho is set for a return to MUFC and Carrington as he waits to see what the INEOS administration and new manager Ruben Amorim (who is yet to have the 25-year-old among his options since arriving at Old Trafford) do with him.

It remains to be seen whether or not the former Man City youth star will make another appearance at the Theatre of Dreams itself, but with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said to be strapped for cash and yet still looking to bring in new players, they’ll be hoping at least fetch a decent fee for the him.

Sancho registered five goals and 10 assists during his time at Stamford Bridge, and despite perhaps not lighting the world on fire, he proved to be a useful addition to the squad and contributed in some big moments – that recent European final being the standout this season.

Nevertheless, it is believed that Chelsea were unwilling to match the salary paid by his parent club, with the one-time national team starlet said to be on weekly wages of around £300,000, according to reports.

Born in the capital himself, Sancho grew to be favoured by a sizeable portion of the supporters, and while the Man United fan base is pretty divided when it comes to Sancho coming back, there are plenty of Blues that will miss him.

Meanwhile, regardless of his return to United, Sancho being moved on rather quickly looks the most likely outcome now that the summer transfer window is open.

He has already caused some controversy among even those who were open to him coming back following a recent post on fellow loanee Marcus Rashford’s Instagram, which was seen by many as a dig at his employers.

As for how much Sancho would fetch in the current market following his performances under Enzo Maresca, who knows?

What would you like to see happen with Sancho, Reds?

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

Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

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