Everything happening at the Great Manchester Run 2021
Famous for its city centre route and atmosphere, the 2021 Great Manchester Run is set to feature live music, entertainment zones that celebrate local character and culture, and a boisterous crowd roaring on the participants.
The Great Manchester Run – the North-West’s flagship sporting event – is officially returning after a 16-month absence. And organisers are promising a “special day” to mark the occasion.
September’s Run is the first since 2019 – with thousands of people preparing to hit the tarmac for 10ks and half marathons.
Famous for its central route weaving around the city’s iconic landmarks, the 2021 Great Manchester Run will feature live music, entertainment zones that celebrate local character and culture, and a boisterous crowd roaring on the participants.
All the action will be televised live on BBC – with runners receiving a t-shirt, shiny new medal, and finisher’s bag filled with goodies.
Event organisers said: “Whether you do it for the challenge, to fundraise for charity, or simply for fun, take your place on the start line and be part of something really special.”
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As well as the main event, here’s what else is happening on the 26 September 2021:
The Great Manchester Run 2021 is being billed as a “special occasion” / Image: GMR
Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run
The Junior & Mini event gives runners aged 3+ the opportunity to enjoy the big event experience at the Great Manchester Run, with music and a cheering crowd all the way around.
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Entries to the Junior (2.5k) and Mini (1.5k) Great Manchester Run are now open.
High-tempo music and charity cheering points are set to be part of the occasion for the 2021 Great Run – re-energising runners at each kilometre of the course.
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Also back by popular demand for 2021 is the Hacienda Zone – featuring a massive sound system, disco lights and bubble machine to give runners a final boost to the finish line.
Thousands will take part in the Run this year / Image: GMR
Business Challenge
The Business Challenge encourages local businesses to compete against each other at the Run to be crowned “champions”.
If you and a group of colleagues want to take on a running event together, for charity, a fitness goal or perhaps just have fun as a team, you can enter the ENGIE Business Challenge here.
The countdown to the Great Manchester Run is on – take your place on the start line and be part of the action, because this year it’s all about the comeback!
For more information about entering, head on over to the official website.
What's On
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester later this month… and there’s some spooky surprises in store.
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, or you just fancy releasing your inner child, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only at the end of the month.
The museum will become your playground once it’s closed for the day as you settle in for a unique evening of live music, giant interactive games, and spooky surprises for Halloween.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also get free access to the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, which just opened earlier this year, and get to indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming extravaganza.
Especially for spooky season, you can look forward to some very special one-off events too, like stellar performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, a cosmic cabaret with live vocals, and a monster mash-up soundtrack guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit.
There’ll also be a chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster popping up the museum as part of Halloween in the City’s iconic Manchester Monsters trail.
And as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be open on the night, serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink confirmed for a return this festive season with tickets NOW on sale
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to Cathedral Gardens once again this festive season.
Skate Manchester has always been a festive staple of our city centre, and 2026 is set to be absolutely no different.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
Off the back of a hugely successful 2025 season, there will be a specially curated programme of events this year too, including themed nights, competitions, and inclusive skate sessions designed for an accessible and enjoyable experience for as many people as possible.
And if you’re not too confident on the ice, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors too.
This includes dedicated quiet and toddler sessions to create a more relaxed skating environment.
Discounted tickets and weekly events will also be on offer too, meaning students can skate for just £10 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, families can enjoy dedicated Parents & Mini Skater sessions in the same period, and group discounts will also be available for larger bookings.
There will also be £5 Community and school sessions, free skating for children on selected Tuesdays, accessible SEND sessions, and 20% off for Blue Light workers.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is confirmed for a return this festive season / Credit: Supplied
“Skate Manchester has established itself as the highest Google-rated rink in the UK, located in the heart of Manchester next to the world-renowned Christmas Markets – it’s the perfect way to enjoy a Mancunian Christmas,” commented Rob Derry, who is the Director at Tamarisk Events – the coordinator of Skate Manchester.
Skate Manchester will open to the public from Friday 6 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day.
From 6 November to 6 December, the rink will be open daily from 11am to 9pm, and then from 7 January onwards, opening hours will extend from 10am to 9pm – with all skating sessions lasting 45 minutes.
The Manc -
20th August 2021 
