The Great Manchester Run is back for another year, with tens of thousands due to take part. Elite athletes, club runners and fun runners will be all hit the streets for the 10km and half marathon races today Sunday (May 26).
This year marks the 21st years of the event, which features Europe's biggest 10k race. Start times are staggered throughout the day. More than 30,000 runners are signed up to take part, while 100,000 spectators are expected to attend.
The first participants will begin at 8.15am and the last just after 1pm.
READ MORE: Great Manchester Run 2024 start time, road closures, route and everything you need to know
The full wave details are below:
- 8.15am - Elite Wheelchair (10k)
- 8.20am - Orange wave (Half marathon)
- 8.39am - Green wave (Half marathon)
- 11.25am - Elite women (10k)
- 11.40am - Elite men (10k)
- 11.40am - Fast paced and orange Wave (10k)
- 11.59am - Red wave (10k)
- 12.02pm - Green wave (10k)
- 12.45pm - Purple wave (10k)
- 13.03pm - Pink wave (10k)
Last year, the popular running event celebrated its 20th anniversary with a number of entertainment zones. Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah took part. The four-time gold medallist completed the race for a final time after confirming he would retire from elite competition after the AJ Bell Great North event in September 2023.
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Several roads in the city will be affected and road closures and traffic diversions will be in operation. The 10k and half marathon course take two different routes.
As with previous years, the 10k route begins on Portland Street just near the junction with Oxford Road, and continues down onto the A56 towards Old Trafford - taking in Manchester United's Old Trafford ground and other sites opposite Salford Quays, before heading towards Deansgate and the finish line.
The half marathon starts and continues along the same route as the 10k, but turns onto the Mancunian Way, past Manchester Piccadilly and continuing all the way up to Etihad Stadium before looping back into Ashton Old Road and joining the 10k route back down past Old Trafford and back up to Deansgate.
Follow the latest updates from the day and races in our live blog below...
Key Events
Podium places
Stephen Topping
End of live coverage
That concludes our live coverage from this year's Great Manchester Run.
Get the latest news on our website.
Stephen Topping
Well-earned celebrations
Look at those medals and smiles.
Take a look at those finisher tees and medals, you've earned them!⁰⁰ Share your photos from today with us in the comments below. pic.twitter.com/SAkhxdiASu
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
More from today's run
Here are some more photos from today.
Stephen Topping
Joyful scenes
Here are more of the Great Manchester Run finishers.
Stephen Topping
Amazing scenes
It's been a brilliant day in Manchester so far.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024Manchester, this is the one!
Amazing scenes as thousands of runners are taking part in the 10K and half marathon across the city centre.Well done runners pic.twitter.com/CxePGrfdaj
Stephen Topping
More runners cross the line
A huge effort from everyone who has taken part today.
And that’s it from me! Huge well done everyone - absolutely smashed it @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/9YTgYK0PYf
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
A day of celebration
There has been huge support for the participants in today's event.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024Do it for the kudos
We are absolutely loving the crowd support and the creative signs lining both the 10k and half marathon courses today!
Remember to tag us in your photos from today using the hashtag #GreatManchesterRun! pic.twitter.com/e6Ud0ZtfWf
Stephen Topping
Moving scenes
Emotional moments as runners cross the line.
Huge all round at the finishing line @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/jRKa5CF1zP
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Some tears as runners cross the finish line @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/G4tHGFRE7V
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
'Overwhelming'
This was the moment mayor Andy Burnham reflected on the city's support after completing his race.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024“It’s the city”
In one word, sum up the AJ Bell #GreatManchesterRun, @AndyBurnhamGM! pic.twitter.com/YLeeqFS58d
Stephen Topping
Cracking outfits
There seems to be a food theme for some of the runners.
We have ourselves a pineapple! @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/A4XHBc4Ner
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
A rather cool looking crumpet @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/iZqojLbc2j
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
More runners setting off
More than 30,000 participants were expected today.
And the next batch of runners are underway- up to 30k people are taking part today @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/2BQ5kk9HBn
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Emotional scenes
Hugs and aching legs as tired runners cross the finish line.
KEY EVENT
Podium places
Some impressive top three times have been posted in today's races.
Men's 10km:
- Vincent Ngetich – 00:27:25
- Jack Rayner – 00:27:44
- Bashir Abdi – 00:27:46
Women's 10km:
- Gotytom Gebreslase – 00:30:32
- Calli Hauger-Thackery – 00:31:02
- Amene Beriso – 00:31:13
Men's half-marathon:
- James Westlake – 01:06:34
Laurens Vanderlinden – 01:07:56
Daniel Eckersley – 01:08:25
Women's half-marathon:
- Eleanor Baker – 01:14:49
- Ellen McLeod – 01:18:15
- Julie Briscoe – 01:19:13
Stephen Topping
Speedy
A great effort from the fastest elite man at today's event.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024That’s some performance from Vincent Ngetich!
Incredible time of 00:27:25.Check out that finish line moment too! pic.twitter.com/clyI1pg30v
Stephen Topping
Latest images
Here are some of the latest photos from our snapper Sean Hansford.
Stephen Topping
This year's fastest man
Congratulations to Vincent Ngetich who has completed the 10k in 27 minutes and 25 seconds.
WOW! That was FAST!
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024
A fantastic performance from Vincent Ngetich, our first placed 10K male in 00:27:25! ⁰⁰What. A. Run pic.twitter.com/J9eEnQrNFN
Stephen Topping
The winning moment
This was the moment Gotytom Gebreslase crossed the finish line.
Check out Gotytom Gebreslase’s finish line moment at this year’s AJ Bell #GreatManchesterRun! pic.twitter.com/8Knuh7jz0U
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Busy day for Manchester
The city is alive today, and the rain isn't dampening spirits.
The city centre is absolutely buzzing today @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/5rRAxMFFwk
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Fastest elite female
Congratulations to Gotytom Gebreslase, who completed the course in just over half an hour.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024Wow. What a performance.
Having an amazing year so far, Gotytom Gebreslase is our elite female 10K winner, with a time of 00:30:32!
Congratulations - that was superb pic.twitter.com/5kce7dVJwZ
Stephen Topping
Gemma Atkinson taking part
Good luck to Hits Radio presenter and actress Gemma Atkinson who is taking part today.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024A huge good luck to @MissGAtkinson who is taking on the AJ Bell #GreatManchesterRun 10K today!
We’re all rooting for you! pic.twitter.com/qnAidQzgWO
Stephen Topping
Off they go
Good luck to the elite men who have just set off.
And off they go! @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/0glubEyPq0
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Elite men's 10k to start
The men's elite runners are preparing to set off.
The elite men are gearing up now @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/rydCpFJ5rN
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Sun comes out
It's an unsettled day for weather - with thunder on the way too.
The sun has just come out after some heavy rain not 10 mins ago! @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/jwDe9geWlP
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
"You can't beat it"
Some words of inspiration from DJ Adele Roberts, who is addressing the runners.
DJ Adele Roberts is here today. She’s said: “The way running makes you feel you can’t beat it - the runners high. The finish line is not the finish time - we are all equal.” @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/FZOqBwaVAU
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Andy and Bev taking part
Two of Manchester's key political figures are running today.
Andy Burnham and Bev Craig are taking part.
Mayor Andy Burnham and council leader Bev Craig are running today. Andy is running for the Alzheimer’s Society - a personal one for him as his dad suffers from the disease. “It’s so important to raise awareness for this - and what an honour it is to run with all these people.” pic.twitter.com/TfMtsAk3CV
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
And they're off
The elite women set off.
The 10K Elite Women are OFF! ⁰⁰Keep your eyes peeled, blink and you’ll miss all the action! ⁰Best of luck to you all! and a big thank you to @AdeleRoberts for starting today’s race! pic.twitter.com/ZxFjIXCcWz
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
Elite women's 10k to start
Good luck to all taking part.
The elite woman are taking their place - due to get going soon @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/GggTs2nzej
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
Stephen Topping
'Absolutely buzzing'
Good luck Jaz Singh from The Traitors.
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024We’re absolutely buzzing too!
Great to see Jaz Singh from The Traitors here with us this morning! pic.twitter.com/LYx5oidPzp
Stephen Topping
Eleanor Baker's winning moment
This is the moment Eleanor Baker won the women's half earlier.
YES!
— Great Run (@Great_Run) May 26, 2024
Check out Eleanor Baker’s amazing half marathon finish line moment at today’s AJ Bell #GreatManchesterRun! pic.twitter.com/7zTxhoClBo
Stephen Topping
Two familiar faces
Emmerdale stars Danny Miller and Daniel Jillings have crossed the finish line.
I’ve just spoke to Emmerdale’s Danny Miller and Daniel Jillings. Both are running for Once Upon A Smile, a children’s bereavement charity. Training has been good, they said. “I’m feeling more aches and pains now though - it’ll probably be my last!” Danny said @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/D1yv2G4UAs
— Amy Walker (@amy_e_walker) May 26, 2024
