One of our very own is getting ready to get thousands of racers underway as local Olympian, Keely Hodgkinson MBE, has been named as the official starter for the 2025 Great Manchester Run.
Atherton’s very own generational trackstar, who picked up gold at Paris 2024 and has earned several other medals, not to mention smashing multiple British records, will be leading the hordes of runners taking on the annual AJ Bell challenge through central Manchester next month.
We couldn’t think of anyone better suited to fly the flag for Greater Manchester.
HUGE NEWS incoming… 👀🔥
We’re super excited to announce that Olympic champion @keelyhodgkinson will be the official race starter for this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run! 🏃♀️💥👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/aHHxeaMQ9p
Hyping up the news on social media, the Great Run company went on to add: “A true hometown hero, an Olympic champion, and now, kicking off Manchester’s best running party of the year – the BIGGEST in a decade! We’re proper BUZZZZZING! Let’s have it, Manchester!”
Safe to say they’re pretty ecstatic with the news, and so are we, as Keely Hodgkinson becomes the latest Team GB member to bring their pedigree to the event, following in the very fast footsteps of Sir Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Amir Khan and many more.
Although the 800m specialist is yet to comment on the announcement directly, the magic of getting to put the hard yards in front of a home crowd won’t be lost on her, and it goes without saying that she’ll get an unreal reception from the Manc spectators – of which there are expected to be more than 100,000.
Better yet, over 35,000 participants are set to take on the Great Manchester Run this year, therefore teeing potentially record-breaking crowds for the event.
2025 marks the 22nd edition of the event, and the atmosphere throughout the city centre, as well as out into East Manchester and Trafford, is always spectacular. There are still places left if you’re tempted…
Undoubtedly one of the very best athletes to ever come out of the underdog borough that is Wigan, whether you argue the case for old Lancashire or not, surely we can all be proud to call her a Greater Mancunian this spring, just as we did back in the summer?
Once again, it isn’t long before the annual race day kicks off as the Great Manchester Run arrives on Sunday, 18 May, with Keely Hodgkinson beckoning everyone towards their own hero moments.
There are still places left for both the 10k and half marathon distances, and now we’ve seen the medal design for this year, we might just have to sign up again ourselves.
You can find out more and decide for yourself HERE.
Manchester United reach ‘total agreement’ for new signing amid ongoing goalkeeping drama
Danny Jones
Manchester United are said to have reached a complete agreement for the transfer of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, as their trouble in the crucial position continues.
The Belgian shot-stopper, who currently plays for Royal Antwerp FC, emerged as a target a few weeks ago after yet more errors in between the sticks for Man United.
In addition to André Onana having developed a reputation for making mistakes in net for the Red Devils, rotation keeper, Altay Bayındır, has also recorded errors of his own, including gifting Burnley their equaliser this past weekend (Saturday, 30 September).
Although the club are said to have been working on a deal for some time, it now looks as though the pair could soon play second fiddle to a new number one in Lammens, who is set to sign a five-year deal with United imminently.
Still just 23, not only does he fit the younger age profile of the players that both Ruben Amorim and Man United’s recruitment department are looking to bed in, but he’s already thrown up some impressive stats in his career thus far.
The former Club Brugge youth only made his Royal Antwerp debut back in November 2023, but went on to win the Belgian Super Cup as part of the side and has now made a total of 64 appearances.
United were also being linked with a more experienced and Premier League-proven alternative in Emi Martinez; however, the move was reportedly abandoned after Aston Villa were unwilling to sign their inbound new MUFC loanee, Jadon Sancho, on a permanent deal.
Many are arguing it could also be some fancy footwork and transfer posturing from INEOS.
For anyone wondering why they went after him, some will say the numbers speak for themselves.
Others will point out that there is a gulf in quality between the Belgian first division and the Premier League.
Man United are said to be paying Antwerp a fee of roughly £18.2 million plus add-ons for Lammens’ services, with summer signing number five having already been pictured boarding a private jet in Belgium ahead of his flight to Manchester.
It is thought that Amorim could hold on to both Onana and Altay as part of his wider squad, with some room for rotation still alive as his team are still in the FA Cup, especially given that it remains to be seen how Lammens will take to life in English football.
Some fans have even been calling for back-up Tom Heaton to be brought into the starting lineup for now after looking like a safe pair of hands on this year’s pre-season tour. Regardless, Lammens’ arrival will surely see at least one set of gloves leaving Old Trafford if not in this window, then come January.
Reds will be both glad and somewhat concerned to hear that academy product Kobbie Mainoo asked to leave on loan before deadline day after questions over his playing time.
Featured Images — Royal Antwerp (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Éderson to leave after the Etihad after eight years ahead of Donnarumma joining Manchester City
Danny Jones
It looks like Éderson Moraes’ time at Manchester City has finally come to an end, as the long-serving goalkeeper is set to leave the Etihad Stadium after eight years, with heavily rumoured new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma joining in his place.
In what has turned out to be a late twist in the transfer window, Brazilian shot-stopper Éderson has reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe SK following the two clubs striking a late and permanent deal.
Simultaneously, following plenty of speculation over his next destination this summer – having been courted by both Premier League clubs in Manchester, as well as serial spenders Chelsea – ‘Gigi’ Donnarumma is preparing to don the sky blue of Man City.
It also still begs the question of who is going to be the number one under Pep Guardiola…
32-year-old Éderson was strongly expected to leave before deadline day, though it was reported he was most likely bound for fellow Turkish giants and current Süper Lig champions, Galatasaray.
However, an agreement was never reached, and now their rivals have got their hands on his gloves and his signature for around £12 million.
The ex-Benfica keeper had also been linked with a possible return to Portugal, as well as attracting interest from multiple Saudi clubs over the last 12 months or so, as his place in Pep‘s first-choice XI has become increasingly less secure.
Conversely, he is expected to drop straight into Fenerbahçe’s starting lineup and is set to sign a three-year deal worth around €8 million a year before add-ons.
Meanwhile, Man City are set to pay Paris Saint-Germain approximately £43.2m for Donnrumma, who is set to undergo his medical in Manchester on Monday afternoon (1 September).
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain maintain expectation Gianluigi Donnarumma will join Manchester City on #DeadlineDay. #MCFC want #PSG goalkeeper & Ederson will only be allowed to seal proposed €14m #Fenerbahce move if 26yo Italy international arrives @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/X7RsLnSeSA
Still aged just 26 after breaking into the senior AC Milan squad when he was just 16, the PSG keeper and Italian number one has already won plenty in his career, including Euro 2020 and the Champions League last season.
With Éderson leaving City as a serial winner, the club would be hard-pressed to pick up another keeper of his calibre, with such experience and with time still on his side.
The full details of his contract are yet to be disclosed, but you can expect him to earn a healthy sum upon arriving in East Manchester.
All that being said, it remains to be seen what this means for recently re-signed James Trafford, who rejoined his former youth club ahead of the 25/26 campaign from Burnley. He might have the right shirt, but will Donnarumma’s arrival see him become the back-up?
Forget Éderson vs Ortega: who is going to lay the claim between the posts for City next, Donnarumma or Trafford?
Danny Jones -
17th April 2025 
