Returning to the city after a 16-month absence, organisers of the Great Manchester Run are preparing to welcome thousands to the tarmac for 10Ks and half marathons this Sunday 26 September on what is promised to be a “special day”.
Famous for its central route weaving around the city’s iconic landmarks, the Great Manchester Run 2021 will feature live music, entertainment zones that celebrate local character and culture, and a boisterous crowd roaring on the participants.
There’ll be non-stop entertainment from start to finish, with all the action from the day set to be televised live on BBC.
Thinking of signing up for this year’s event last minute, but haven’t yet got your name down? This is your chance to be a part of “something really special,” event organisers said.
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So whether you’ve already secured your place on the start line, or you’re looking for your next challenge, then here’s the run-down on what you can expect from the Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26 September.
15,000 runners will line up on the 10K and Half Marathon start lines on Portland Street, before setting off on a running tour of the city.
On the 10K route, you can take in views of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, the award-winning Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays, and The Lowry theatre.
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The Half Marathon route takes runners past both iconic football stadiums, joining the 10K route in exploring the famous cobbles of Coronation Street’s new set, and right past Beetham Tower – the 47-storey skyscraper which almost marks the finish line on Deansgate in the heart of Manchester city centre.
The Great Manchester Run 2021 is back on Sunday 26 September.
Rocking Music and Entertainment
The Great Manchester Run is famous for its buzzing atmosphere, iconic music, and Mancunian spirit in abundance, so runners can prepare to be entertained from start to finish by a host of live music and local legends – including Clint Boon – the event’s very-own ‘Beats Boost’ and ‘Hacienda’ zones, the high-energy ‘Hits Radio Motivation Zone’, and much more.
With 24 entertainment zones for the Half Marathon, and 21 on the 10K course, even if you’re not taking part and are just cheering on the runners instead, there’s still plenty happening that’ll have you rocking from start to finish.
Here’s what’s on the line-up:
Bands on the Run – Some of the very best bands and local musical artists are lined-up to provide the soundtrack to the run. From Clint Boon to DJ Helen Stelling Holt and of course The Halle, they’ll have you bopping, clapping, singing and running to the beat.
Beats Boost – The Great Manchester Run’s very-own music zone will raise your running to the next level with the Tune Tunes DJ truck providing the beats with bubbles blowing everywhere, making it a great selfie spot and an experience to remember.
Hacienda – The party is back to give runners that much needed boost just as the finish comes into view. With a Hacienda inspired playlist, a massive sound system and disco lights, event organisers “want to see those hands up until you’re right across the finish line.”
Hits Radio Motivation Zone – The Hits Radio crew will add an extra skip to your step with their upbeat support zone at Castle Quay.
Charity Cheering Buses – The charity cheering buses provide instant motivation and inspiration for runners, and this year’s five representing charities are Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Christie, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
The LGBTQ+ Cheer Point – Sponsored by Nissan, this dedicated cheer point will bring the colour and a wall of noise to the run.
Thousands will hit the tarmac for 10Ks and half marathons on what is promised to be a “special day” / Credit: Great Manchester RunThe Great Manchester Run is famous for its buzzing atmosphere, iconic music, and Mancunian spirit in abundance / Credit: Great Manchester Run
Personal Best & Pacers
Renowned for being a fast and flat route, the Great Manchester Run offers a great opportunity for keen runners to try and achieve a personal best, especially as there’s always crowds lining the streets cheering and fellow runners spurring each other on.
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Race day always lends itself to personal records.
And if you’re looking to make it to the finish line in a particular time, the Great Manchester Run’s team of pacers will be on hand to help you achieve your goal.
There’ll be 14 pacers in the 10K that will pace runners from 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, and the Half Marathon will then have a team of 11 pacers, pacing runners from 1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours 30 mins, all depending on your wave allocation.
A Very Big Thank You
This year, the Great Manchester Run will be welcoming runners back to the start-line after one of the most challenging experiences in living memory, and as the city celebrates the return of running together again, event organisers are also keen to say “a very important thank you” to those who went above and beyond to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will be recognising the incredible efforts with our ‘thank you mile’,” event organisers explain.
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Signs of thanks and appreciation will single out NHS heroes, fundraisers, teachers, supermarket workers, care home carers, sports coaches, mental health guardians, and many more all along the routes.
This year’s event is shaping up to be an action-packed celebration of running / Credit: Great Manchester Run
The Finish Line Feeling & A Worthy Reward
Runners are likely to be feeling a mix of elation, exhaustion and joy as they complete the challenge and cross the finish line on Deansgate to cheering crowds, and many previous participants have called this sense of achievement as the greatest reward in taking part.
A shiny new medal, finishers t-shirt and bag filled with goodies await all participants at the end of the Greater Manchester Run.
This year’s event is shaping up to be an action-packed celebration of running, so whether you do it for the challenge, to fundraise for charity, or simply for fun, there’s still time to sign-up and take your place on the start line to be a part of something really special.
You can find out more and stick your name down for the Great Manchester Run 2021 here.
Featured Image – Great Manchester Run
What's On
Co-op Live announce UFC 304 is coming to the brand-new arena for Manchester return this year
Danny Jones
Co-op Live has announced one of the biggest nights yet and their first-ever sporting event after confirming that the UFC is coming to the new state-of-the-art arena.
While the shiny new music and live entertainment stadium suffered an unfortunate setback earlier this week, with both of Peter Kay’s gigs being postponed following power supply issues discovered during their test event, the confirmation of UFC 304 at Co-op Live is a big plus for the opening month.
Rumours had been circling that a huge sporting event might be coming to the UK’s newest indoor arena, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, but this being just the fourth time the UFC has washed up on British shores, it’s a huge coup for their debut year.
Announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the global MMA phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar promotion company will be bringing their 304th fight night to Manchester on 27 July and you can roll your eyes at the pun all you like, but it’s going to be a knockout.
The UFC is coming back to Manchester for the first time in eight years.
As the UFC has said in an official press release, “UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.”
That being said, there isn’t a better moment for the brand to capitalise on the growing fight audience here in the UK and 0161, specifically, with the aforementioned Aspinall having created a real appetite for the discipline in and around the city.
The Greater Manchester region has always been home to iconic fighters regardless, be it boxing or otherwise; Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, as well adopted Manc MMA legend Michael Bisping, whose pedigree helped bring UFC to Manchester and the AO Arena for the first time back in 2016.
Nearly a decade later the promotion is now part of Co-op Live’s maiden calendar and set to be the first of many sporting events they hope to host – a plan bolstered by their partnership with neighbours, Manchester City.
The UFC 304 fight card is yet to be announced but there are a few local names you can probably bank on. (Credit: The Manc Audio)
“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester, and no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”
As for Co-op Live, Executive Director and General Manager Gary Rodenadded: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase.
“Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and calibre as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”
Co-op members get early access to presale tickets at 10am on 5 June and general admission goes live via Ticketmaster at the same time on Friday, 7 June. UFC Fight Club members will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on the Wednesday from 9am BST.
You can also register your interest HERE to gain access to a special pre-sale which starts on Thursday, 6 June 6 from 10am as well. Roll on fight night!
Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo
According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.
The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.
“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.
We've been named the BEST zoo in the UK, thanks to YOU! 🇬🇧
This news comes after receiving thousands of positive reviews on the travel website, Tripadvisor 🙌
Your support helps us to protect more than 500 of the world's most threatened animal and plant species🐅🌱
Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.
“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.
“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.
It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”
The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.
Emily Sergeant -
8th September 2021 
