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
Manchester’s biggest comedy festival announces jam-packed lineup as affordable tickets go on sale
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s most popular comedy festival is back later this year, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After proving to be a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, and several other successful runs in the years following, Laughterama is back in Manchester in early September, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre for five days of fun.
Thousands of comedy lovers attend Laughterama each year to enjoy countless sell-out stand-up sets, and this year will be no different, as festivalgoers are in for an ‘explosive series of shows‘ from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Jack Dee, Nick Mohammed, Sara Pascoe, Fern Brady, and Chris McCausland are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
They’ll be joined by other big names like Michelle De Swarte, Stewart Lee, Nina Conti, Ivo Graham, Ellis James, and Harriett Kemsley when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September.
Some of the other names you can expect are BAFTA nominee Rose Matafeo, stand-up marvel Sarah Keyworth, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal, and podcast hero John Robbins.
Laughterama returns to Manchester later this year / Credit: Matt Eachus | Supplied
It wouldn’t be Laughterama without some newcomers and breakthrough stars, of course, and on the lineup this year are viral sensation Vittorio Angelone, fast-rising talents Kiran Saggu and Jen Nolan, and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Evaldas Karosas.
And aside from the comedy, as always, you can expect the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Laughterama 2026 is landing at Castlefield Bowl from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September, with tickets now on sale at £29 per person.
You can grab yours on the Laughterama website before they sell out here.
What's On
A Greater Manchester run club is taking on a 24-hour ‘Everest’ memorial and charity challenge
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester run club is set to take on an impressive 24-hour feat of endurance dubbed the ‘Everest’ challenge later this week, and it’s all for charity.
Yes, running on behalf of not only a nearby organisation but also in memory of a beloved native, this deeply moving event will see the group of Trafford runners going up and down hills for a whole day.
We’ve seen the huge growth of the flagship Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness over the past half a decade – which has now spread to multiple other cities – and it’s great to see similar formats springing up across the region.
Set up by Batch Running Club, who are based in Altrincham, the Everest challenge gets underway this coming Friday and will run (pun very much intended) into the weekend.
Sharing a lengthy post on social media, they wrote: “On Friday, 5th June at 6pm, our amazing running club will begin a 24-hour challenge running backwards and forwards over Moss Lane Bridge near Tesco in Altrincham.
“Our goal? To cover the equivalent elevation of climbing Mount Everest — at least once, maybe even more! We’re taking on this challenge to raise much-needed funds for Trafford Carers Centre in memory of the wonderful Jim Edward Parsons.
“A couple of years ago, as a running club, we chose to support Trafford Carers because of a personal connection within the Batch family. Bards, owner of Batch Bottlestore, saw first-hand the incredible support Trafford Carers gave his mum, Kirsty, while she cared full-time for his stepdad Jim.
“Their help made a huge difference during an incredibly difficult time and ensured Kirsty never felt alone in her role as a carer.”
Unfortunately, Jim sadly passed away last December, and so in an effort to honour his life and support the crucial care network that has not only aided local families but touched so many other lives in the process, they’ll be taking on the ‘Big Tesco Hill’ for 24 hours straight. WOW.
As the poster would suggest, it runs right past the main Alty Tesco. (Credit: David Dixon via Geograph)
Having been lucky enough to enjoy the downhill version of that very same hill as part of the Manchester Marathon, we can only imagine how difficult it is running back up it in the other direction…
Encouraging people to come along and join, or even just come along and support as volunteers and/or cheer on from the sidelines, they’re hoping to complete as many laps as time will allow and, more importantly, raise as much vital funding as possible.
They signed off by adding: “This charity is incredibly close to our hearts, and Jim will always remain at the centre of why we continue supporting Trafford Carers.”
We hope 2026 is just the first of what will become a worthwhile annual fitness fundraiser; you can donate to the charity run HERE.
Counselling with Trafford Carers Centre
Counselling is an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive and confidential setting. Our trainee counsellors are here to help you through this process without judgement or giving advice. pic.twitter.com/AkaaAROaO4
The Manc -
20th August 2021 
