Ever wondered if you could outrun a train? No, seriously, overinflated egos and opinions of athletic prowess aside, you can genuinely race an old steam train as part of one of the most scenic running events in the North West.
Back for 2024 and its eighth edition following seven sell-out years, the Race the Train running event takes place this summer and will see Greater Mancs, Lancashire locals and people from all over the North West come to see if they can beat an old school locomotive on foot.
Running alongside a traditional steam train along the East Lancashire Railway and passing through multiple stations, you’ll get to take in the scenery all whilst putting your fitness to the test.
Better still, it’s scheduled for 10 June, so hopefully it should be a lovely sunny day. Sign us up.
Credit: Chris Arnold (via East Lancs Railway)/Mad Bull Events
Attracting thousands of joggers, dedicated runners and spectators every year, the Race the Train event has genuinely become one of the biggest and best races in the region, welcoming people of all abilities to come along and give the charming route a go.
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Setting off from Bury Bolton Street Station in the borough’s town centre, you’ll set off going North where the train will change tracks and you’ll then run south alongside the legendary East Lancs railway lines and the River Irwell before finishing up at Rawtenstall Station in the Lancashire town of the same name.
With a beautiful and varied route with a good amount of challenge involved too, the 11-mile route only gets more popular each year, but organisers Mad Bull Events are also careful not to oversell the event so there’s still plenty of room for all runners.
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Also, it might only be a little thing but the race starts on the sound of the stream train’s whistle — a nice touch. Here’s a look at how the Race the Train event from 2021.
With a minimum age requirement of 16 years, there’s room for plenty of runners of varying ages and abilities to get involved; plus, one of the best parts is that friends and family can ride the train with a perfect view to cheer them on loved ones HERE. Children’s tickets are just £11 and adults are £16.50.
Online entries for the event will close at 11:45am on Monday, 10 June 2024 and places cost just £30 with the admin fee included. We highly doubt it but if there are any spare places spots available you can join in on the day for just a fiver. You can book your place HERE.
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Registration will open at 9am on platform three at Bury Train Station and will close at 10:25. There will also be a bag drop at the same location with all of your stuff being loaded onto the train ready to pick when you’re all said and done at Rawtenstall Station.
There may or may not be a member or two of The Manc team going along to run the Race the Train event this year too, so hopefully we’ll see you at the finish line to pick up our medals and race shirts.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
England are on the lookout for a new coach heading into the World Cup after being swept in the Ashes.
Coach Shaun Wane has reportedly resigned from the post after a disappointing 3-0 whitewash against Australia last year.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
"I'm an all-in kind of girl. You'll get my whole heart and soul." 🙌
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.
Danny Jones -
15th March 2024 
