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
After All 2026 – the affordable grassroots music festival happening in Northern Quarter
Danny Jones
Grassroots music event After All Festival is returning to Manchester this weekend, with rising local artists and affordable tickets.
Now well over half a decade since it was founded, All All Fest takes place in the heart of the Northern Quarter, and this year they’re proving that their slow and steady approach to backing the best new up-and-coming bands at core intimate venues is more important than ever.
With plenty of previous acts having impressed in recent years, we’re looking forward to seeing how 2026 stacks up in comparison to its predecessors.
Increasingly prolific native group Dirty Laces are set to headline the whole thing, Manilla Times are locked in, and Bolton’s very own James Holt also stands out on the lineup, just to highlight a few.
As the festival continues to grow in size and popularity, they have obviously had to scale things up even further this year.
That being said, beloved live music spot and Manc institution, Band on the Wall, is among the chosen arts spaces for this latest iteration.
BoW will be offering up their 500-capacity main room to the organisers for the very first time, serving as the de facto main stage of After All Fest 2026.
Joining them will be the Rose and Monkey next door, as well as cult favourite pub, Gullivers on Oldham Street, who have a long history of supporting local musicians and the arts in general.
And would you look at that, now you’ve got all the stage splits and set times, too.
Labelled by Dead Records’ Rob Fiddaman as “one of the UK’s most exciting new music festivals”, homegrown DJing legend Dave Sweetmore has also described it as “unique in so many ways”, hailing it as a “brilliant event with a great atmosphere to discover new music.”
Having been ourselves on multiple occasions since its inception in 2019 – both as Audio North off-duty and as punters before then – we can’t recommend it highly enough.
The latest edition takes place at 12 noon onwards this Saturday until 2am on Sunday, 17 May, and while the cheapest early bird tickets (£16.50) are long gone, general admission tickets are still available, with prices starting from just £20. Grab yours HERE before they sell out.
It’s not the only live music event worth being a part of this month…
Review | The Karate Kid at Palace Theatre and Opera House, Manchester – very much wax ON
Lonnie Bowes
The theatrical version of The Karate Kid has arrived at the Palace Theatre and Opera House, bringing a well-known story of discipline, resilience and mentorship to a live audience.
Best known for its iconic cinematic legacy, The Karate Kid translates surprisingly well to the stage. It leans less on spectacle and more on character, movement and emotional growth.
At the production’s heart, the story still revolves around a young outsider trying to find confidence and belonging in an unfamiliar environment, guided by an unexpected mentor.
The narrative follows Daniel, played by Gino Ochello, marking his first professional stage debut, as he struggles to adjust to a new life, facing intimidation and self-doubt before encountering the legendary Mr Miyagi, played by Adrian Pang.
What unfolds is more than just a story of learning karate; it becomes a study of patience, balance and inner strength for Daniel. The central relationship between student and teacher remains the production’s strongest theme, grounding the story in warmth and sincerity.
The bond between student and Sensei is clear to see throughout. Focusing more on the movement side of things, the musical definitely has its fair share of action; the production shines with storytelling through choreography.
The fight sequences are carefully staged. The whole production walks a balanced line between movement and tension that feels immediate without losing theatrical elements.
These scenes are not about aggression alone but about control, reflecting the philosophy at the core of the story: balance. If you’ve seen the movies or the likes of Cobra Kai, you’ll know the vibes.
The cast works cohesively to maintain this balance. Ochello playing Daniel captures a mix of genuine vulnerability and determination as he attempts to settle into his new life in California, a million miles from the streets of Jersey he once knew.
While Adrian Pang portrays Mr Miyagi does this with a quiet authority. Their dynamic evolves on stage flawlessly, allowing the audience to invest in their journey rather than simply anticipating the next fight.
Visually, the production makes effective use of staging and design. The set shifts fluidly between locations, using lighting and more than a few well-timed transitions to keep the pace moving.
Subtle changes in atmosphere mirror the cast’s internal world, moving from insecurity and isolation to confidence and connection as the story progresses. The music throughout further supports this, blending nostalgia from the old flicks we all knew and love, with a new contemporary stage feel.
As the story builds toward its familiar ending, the focus remains less on winning and more on personal growth. The final moments emphasise discipline, self-belief and restraint rather than triumph alone.
A well-deserved standing ovation. (Credit: The Manc)
Reinforcing why the story has endured across generations and how the themes explored remain powerful pillars of life in today’s world.
Ultimately, The Karate Kid on stage at the Palace Theatre succeeds not by trying to replicate the film exactly, but by reinterpreting its themes for a live audience. It’s a production that leans into character, movement, friendship and emotional resilience.
It reminds viewers that its real power lies not in the fights, although sometimes necessary as a last resort, but in what they represent on the inside. We had a much deeper experience than we expected, and loved pretty much every minute of it.
Emily Sergeant -
8th September 2021 
