A dedicated all-day fan zone is being set up in the city centre for this year’s Manchester Marathon, and it’s in a prime location.
The 2025 Manchester Marathon is fast approaching, with more than 36,000 runners set to take on the challenge and even more spectators expected to line the streets.
With that in mind, the adidas Manchester Marathon team have teamed up with property developers Vita Living to host a huge fan zone in one of the city’s fastest-growing town squares and neighbourhoods.
Popping up in Circle Square on Oxford Road Corridor and just down the road from the marathon’s new finish line, you arguably couldn’t ask for a better place for a fan zone for those taking in the festivities of what is a massive date on the Manchester calendar.
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Not only is it a much more central location for civilians to immerse themselves in the excitement, but with the bustling area almost acting as a self-contained district tucked away between Vita’s accommodation buildings, it achieves a similar effect as the typical event village located around Emirates Old Trafford.
Based around the mini green space that is Circle Square‘s Symphony Park, there’ll be a big outdoor screen to watch all the action, with multiple pop-ups, activities for all ages and tonnes more.
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What’s on at the Circle Square Fan Zone?
Entertainment
As well as the big screen streaming the 2025 Manchester Marathon from start to finish, including build-up events, interviews and post-race features, there’ll be other entertainment to enjoy.
Besides the tunes being pumped out as part of the race day party atmosphere, you can expect live performances by the likes of Bhangracise Manchester, plus plenty more surprises.
Free fitness sessions
Now, the day might be mostly about running, but for anyone who wants to get moving themselves, there will also be free yoga sessions by Jett’s Gyms directly on the Symphony Park grass, as well tasters of reformer pilates by local studio Restart, who also have a site over in Cheetham Hill.
And don’t worry, there’s stuff for the kids too with a ‘Mini Athletics’ programme, featuring a whole range of activities, from sprints and balance beams to hurdles, foam javelins and long jumps.
Food and drink
As for grabbing a much-needed beverage (here’s hoping it’s sunny but not too hot come crunch time), there’ll be refreshing post-race iced drinks, slushies and recovery shots at the official Rehydration Station hosted by Circle Square’s North Bar.
You’ll most likely get hungry whether you’re participating or not, so you’ll be glad to hear there’ll be not only more iced drinks and coffee from Federal but soft-serve ice cream from Hello Oriental and a summer spritz Manchester Gin outdoor bar as well – again, hosted by North Bar.
FREE things and discounts for Manchester Marathon runners
Now, onto the important stuff: the free stuff for those of you taking on the 2025 Manchester Marathon.
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A free post-run meal for all medal holders at KOTO inside North Bar
Free regular hot drink with any bagel purchased from Bagel Factory
Free coffee from Half Dozen Other for runners
Free ice cream, cold beer or a soft drink to marathon finishers from Hello Oriental
There are also is also a money-off brunch at Federal, a 20% discount on the entire Bird of Prey menu when you show your medal; £1.99 cheeseburgers from hit Oslo export Doug’s for all medal holders, as well as treatment vouchers for winners of games or activities from Forever 22.
If we were you – and at least two of us here in The Manc office will be on Sunday, 27 April – we’d plan to make the most of the S.W.A.G. and offers for the one day you can.
The whole event is completely free and open to the public, running (pun intended) from10am-5pm. See you there, trackstars!
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
9th April 2025 
