It has been confirmed this week that the Manchester Marathon and Half Marathon will definitely be taking place on Sunday 10th October 2021.
This is the first time that both events will be held on the same day.
The events’ organisers have explained that the decision to hold both runs on the same day is a move that allows infrastructure to be in place for an incredible day for all, with safety at the heart of every stage of planning.
Specifics of the event day plans for runners and spectators will be revealed later this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Due to the forced cancellation of the 2020 Manchester Marathon, around 85% of places in this year’s event have already been taken, but with the date and capacities for the events having been confirmed, a small allocation of places are now available.
To ensure a “safe and enjoyable event” for all, the Manchester Half Marathon will be limited to 50% of its usual numbers for 2021.
Entries into both runs are available on a first come, first served basis.
What’s more is that, to coincide with with these new entries becoming available, the Manchester Marathon has also announced the latest recipients of donations from its ‘Trafford Active Fund’ – which uses £1 from every entry to help individuals and organisations inspire active lifestyles and sporting progress in Greater Manchester – with a record £46,000 being awarded.
Five worthy organisations were shortlisted for a public vote, with the following three coming out on top and each receiving a cut of the funding:
Disability Snowsport UK
Henshaws Society for the Blind
Simply Cycling
That’s not all either, as the judging panel were so impressed by the standard of applications received for the initiative, that they have decided to award an additional £2,000 each to the runners-up in the public vote – The Conservation Volunteers and Mile Shy Club.
ADVERTISEMENT
Each organisation has provided detailed plans of how they will use the money awarded to help individuals in Greater Manchester get active during this incredibly testing time.
Speaking about the two announcements, Nick Rusling – CEO of Human Race Events, the organisers of Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half Marathon – said: “Whilst much focus is often given to records achieved on the course, we are delighted our events continue to break them off it too [and] the £46,000 being awarded to local organisations epitomises what this event is all about, giving people from all backgrounds the opportunity to get active and healthy.
“Whilst this is increasingly an event people want to experience from all around the world, the local community will always remain at the heart of everything we do”.
Ahead of 2021 Manchester Marathon booking opening at noon, here are the results of the Trafford Active Fund vote to decide £46,000 of YOUR funding: https://t.co/a0WWiHe4EV
He continued: “We’ve all been deprived the joy of a Manchester Marathon event day for too long, so it’s going to be an emotional and joyous return for us later this year [and] combining the two events will be something special, and I can’t wait to experience it.
“I can assure you the safety of everybody involved is a top priority, but there’s plenty of opportunity for a lot of the fun we are famous for too.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We look forward to sharing the plans in the not-too-distant future”.
___
You can find more information about entries to the 2021 Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half Marathon here.
Featured Image – Manchester Marathon
What's On
You can visit National Trust sites for free this autumn
Daisy Jackson
The National Trust is celebrating the arrival of a new season by offering free visits to the sites it cares for this autumn.
Families will be able to visit the many stately homes, grand gardens, beaches and countryside locations that are looked after by the charity.
The limited-time offer will allow people to book an autumn trip to a National Trust site of their choosing.
Each free ticket will admit two adults and up to four children, with hundreds of sites taking part in the campaign.
The National Trust says: “Everyone needs nature and autumn is when it really glows.
“As the scenes change around us escape into the season with a free visit to the places we care for.”
Quarry Bank. Credit: National Trust
Around Greater Manchester, those include Dunham Massey with its ancient deer park, the incredible Lyme Park (famous for its role in Pride and Prejudice), and the historic Quarry Bank.
Not to mention those just across the borders into neighbouring counties, like Marsden Moor, Hare Hill, and Hardcastle Crags.
You can also use the free National Trust pass to visit Castlefield Viaduct, the sky-high urban park that opened here in Manchester this year.
The 330-metre Grade II-listed steel viaduct was transformed with plants and landscaping into a heritage park, which is technically only a temporary installation while the National Trust works on a permanent vision for the landmark’s future.
Some sites won’t be taking part in the Guest Pass promotion, and visitors are urged to check their chosen destination isn’t on this list before visiting.
Alderley Edge and Tatton Park, for example, are both excluded from the deal.
The free National Trust guest pass promotion will be available to use at sites on or before 30 November 2022.
A Polish vodka and dumpling festival is coming to Manchester
Georgina Pellant
Independent Polish restaurant Platzki is bringing back its famous vodka and pierogi festival to Manchester this week, and we couldn’t be more excited for some hearty dumpling fare.
Notorious for its top-tier filled pierogi, which are made by wrapping unleavened dough around a savoury or sweet filling and cooking in boiling water, Platzki is already something of a go-to for fine Polish food in Manchester.
But now, traditional European dumpling fans have another reason to get themselves down as the restaurant will be focusing almost entirely on pierogi for two days this week.
Platzki’s famous pierogi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Image: Platzki
Taking place across Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October from 3pm until sell-out (or at 9pm, whichever comes first), diners will have the chance to try Platzki’s perfect homemade pierogi in a range of mouth-watering flavours.
There will be plenty of different fillings to try, including some brand new vegetarian pierogi for non-meat eaters.
That’s not all, either. There’ll also be a midweek vodka tipple on standby as Platzki shows off its huge range of favourite Polish vodkas.
Think salted caramel vodka, strawberry vodka, golden black cherry vodka, hazelnut vodka and delicious cherry-chocolate vodka, all of which are (as we know too well from experience) dangerously drinkable.
Each day, the team will be making hundreds of pierogi for local dumpling lovers to sample.
Karkówka roasted pork neck with spinach egg noodles. / Image: The Manc Eats
Karkówka roasted pork neck with spinach egg noodles. / Image: The Manc Eats
Elsewhere, they will also be serving up some of their favourite dishes from the menu including a hearty sausage stew with freshly-baked bread, and melt-in-the-mouth karkówka roasted pork neck with spinach egg noodles.
A fixture in the city since 2018, Platzki has built up a reputation for serving an interesting list of Polish vodka and wine alongside traditional dishes like dumplings, pork neck and meatballs.
It has a gorgeous plant-filled restaurant and a bright terrace that backs onto the Great Northern Warehouse, giving diners views over the Great Northern Square as they dig into some of the best Polish food in the city.
To find out more about this week’s dumpling festival, follow Platzki on Instagram here.
Emily Sergeant -
13th April 2021 
