Manchester came together to bask in spring sunshine — and celebrate the runners raising millions for charity.
Today saw the 20th edition of the Great Manchester Run, with 25,000 participants signing up to tackle either a half-marathon, or 10K race. From the half marathon starting at 8:30am on Portland Street, to the final 10K runners crossing the Deansgate finish line in the mid-afternoon, the city was awash with colour, positivity, and achievement.
It was also significant in that the 10K represented Sir Mo Farah’s final professional running appearance in Manchester. Sir Mo, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, retires this year at the Great North Run in September.
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“It was just to say goodbye to Manchester [today],” he told crowds after he completed the 10K in just under 30 minutes. “Without the crowd and the support there, it would not have been the same throughout my career.
“I love the sport, that’s all I know. My mind has [still got] it but my body does not.
“I’ve had an amazing career. Hopefully, next I will be able to give back to kids and the community, and show people what we can do with determination.”
Sir Mo has said he will continue to run in charity events, but 2023 will be his final year of competition. Today, he came eighth with a time of 29 minutes and 11 seconds.
The men’s winner was Eyob Faniel, completing the course in 28m 27s, with the women’s race won by Kenya’s Hellen Obiri in 31m 14s.
Sir Mo was not the only famous face to take to the streets, however. New Order legend Peter Hook also ran the 10K, to raise money for The Christie.
“It’s easy to run for The Christie, they have done so much,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “My auntie Jean was treated very well there, Tony Wilson was too. Today I am running for Andy Rourke and Oliver Park, Graeme Park’s son.
“There’s too many. It’s the least I can do.“
Hook, who now tours as Peter Hook and The Light, laughed when he was asked if he’d be running to a New Order track. “No! I won’t be running to New Order, without a doubt, but if I had to choose one it would be Born To Be Wild,” he said.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, was also running for the We Love Manchester charity. She said she was proud of the city today.
“I am massively proud,” she told the M.E.N. “It’s a great opportunity to show Manchester at its best — the weather is brill, and we are raising millions for charity. I am running to celebrate the city and raise money for We Love Manchester, I’ve raised over £1,500 already.”
Other public servants running included Kathy Cowell OBE, chair of Manchester NHS Foundation Trust. Starting the ‘blue wave’, the set of the runners from the health service, she said: “It’s a huge honour and really exciting. When you see all our people ready to go, and we think it’s really important to promote the health and well-being of our staff — whether to run, walk, or use a wheelchair.
“Our runners are motivated through fundraising wards, charities, for fun and for causes close to their heart — it’s brilliant when they come with motivation and want to do well. I’m proud of them.”
Blue wave runners were not the only ones raising money for charity, with hundreds of weird and wonderful costumes dotted throughout the pack for charitable causes. This year’s most remarkable runner, however, was Craig Daniels.
He dressed up as a cardboard Blackpool Tower, in memory of his late father, to run the half marathon. A ‘shattered’ 48-year-old Craig explained why: “I’ve only been training for 27 days. Today, I’ve run for Trinity Hospice in Blackpool.
“My dad was there 15 years ago, just before he died. Today is the 15th anniversary of his death. Until I watched the London Marathon, that’s when I started training for this.”
You can check results and times from the run on the Great Run website here.
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