The Women’s Run Series has announced its second event and following what is already tipped to be a blockbuster debut in London, it’s coming to Greater Manchester.
Hosted by RunThrough – the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest-growing running events company, which just held the first-ever MediaCityUK Half Marathon – the Women’s Run Series is aiming to break down barriers in female and ethnic minority participation, inspiring a diverse and vibrant running community.
Partnering with regional grassroots organisations, the event is not only a great outlet for local women to come together and enjoy the pure positivity of a race day (not to mention the obvious fitness benefits) but also to help nurture and elevate women’s sports through activity and the simple act of connection.
Taking place at Heaton Park this spring, the Women’s Run Series is looking like the start of something truly wonderful.
The inaugural event of the new 2025 Women’s Run Series kicks off, rather fittingly on International Women’s Day: Saturday, 8 March.
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Getting underway at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park sporting complex in Stratford, hundreds of women are already signed up and is set to be a huge community event backed by local running clubs.
The first run is also a headline partnership with StoneX, a financial services company that has helped put a lot of support behind the series as a whole.
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Once again, the series will provide a welcoming space for all women, regardless of background or experience, to thrive and inspire one another; this isn’t just about creating a female-only activation, it’s about physical and mental wellbeing.
Lucy Wood, Race Director for the event, said ahead of the sophomore event: “We’re so excited to bring the Women’s Run Series to Manchester in April.
“This event is all about creating a supportive, safe and inspiring space for women to run together. We can’t wait to see the Manchester running community come out and be part of it!”
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
Sport
Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Danny Jones -
18th February 2025 
