The ever-popular Great Manchester Run will return next month, with exciting new features added for 2022.
Runners will be treated to loads more entertainment as they make their way around either a 10km or a half-marathon course.
The event will spur participants on with everything from water pistol breaks to a live DJ, as organisers pull out all the stops to make it the best Great Manchester Run yet.
The action will begin before the race even starts, with a live DJ at the start line to get the energy levels up.
The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
This year’s timed pacers, who give runners the best chance of smashing their targets and personal bests, will add extra motivation by blasting out tunes as they run through the city.
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A new on-course entertainment area is being added this year too.
The Run Thru Madchester Zone spans 50 metres and features a ‘wall of sound’, power up boards and super soaker water pistols.
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The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
For the first time ever, there’ll be an apres-run zone at the end of the course, so runners can kick back for post-race celebrations within minutes of crossing the finish line.
There’ll be food and drink stalls and music for the apres-run after party – full details will be revealed soon.
All of this has been added to the existing Great Manchester Run format, where there are more than 20 music and entertainment zones.
There’ll still be the People’s Playlist (with tunes chosen by Mancs), the Pump It UP and Beats Boost zones with DJ trucks, the Hacienda zone with disco lights and a playlist inspired by the iconic club, and even Bands on the Run, with live music from local artists.
Several charities will pitch up on the course at various cheering points to celebrate and spur runners on – look out for cheering buses for Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Manchester Foundation Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support, and The Christie.
The Great Manchester Run will take place on Sunday 22 May, starting and finishing in the city centre and taking in landmarks like Old Trafford and the Imperial War Museum.
Those tackling the half marathon will also pass by the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City to open pop-up pub in honour of John Stones and Bernardo Silva
Danny Jones
Manchester City are setting up a special pop-up to celebrate John Stones and Bernardo Silva as they prepare to leave at the end of this season.
Having spent nearly two full decades at the Etihad Stadium between them, Stones and Silva will be toasting their departure in true Northern fashion: with their very own Man City pub of the same name.
Come on, you have to admit it: ‘The Stones and Silva’ has a nice ring to it.
Opening for just a few days later this month, before the conclusion of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign and their final appearances in City colours, this is your time to cheers their careers.
Pouring pints from Thursday, 21 May until the end, Cityzens are being encouraged to come along and raise a glass to two of their team’s most successful stars.
Taking over the legendary Star and Garter on Fairfield Street in Manchester city centre, as per an official press release from the club, “The Stones & Silva will feature themed décor inspired by the pair’s unforgettable moments in sky blue.”
As arguably two of the most important players during the Manc side’s most prolific period for winning silverware, it feels only fitting that Blues give them a proper send-off.
Entry will be available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the event, and you can expect plenty of supporters to come through the doors.
The chosen picture for the pub’s hanging inn sign is inspired by the iconic snap of the Gallagher brothers back at the start of the Oasis mania.
MCFC’s The Stones and Silva pop-up pub will open at the following times:
Thursday, 21 May: 4pm-11pm
Friday, 22 May: 4pm-11pm
Saturday, 23 May: 12pm-11pm
Sunday, 24 May: 12pm-8pm
Better still, in collaboration with official partners Asahi, the first 100 fans through the doors each day will be able to get their hands on a FREE beer. Be rude not to at least try and turn up early…
Elsewhere at the club, the drinks have already been flowing in and around Etihad Campus, as Man City Women finally lifted another league title. See some of the party scenes down below.
Featured Images — Manchester City Football Club (publicity pictures)
What's On
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
CHOOSE LIFE.
Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.
Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.
Daisy Jackson -
4th April 2022 
