The streets of Manchester pulsed with energy and anticipation on Sunday, May 31, 2026, as the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run returned for another unforgettable edition. With around 38,000 runners lacing up their shoes for either the 10-kilometer or half-marathon distances, and more than 150,000 spectators lining the courses, the city transformed into a festival of athletic achievement and community spirit. From the first wheelchair race at sunrise to the last wave of fun runners in the afternoon, the day was a showcase of elite competition, personal triumph, and collective joy.
Organizers pulled out all the stops to ensure the event ran smoothly. Both the 10k and half marathon began on Portland Street, threading through the heart of Manchester before looping into Salford and Trafford. The half marathon took runners east to the Etihad Stadium, then back to merge with the 10k course past iconic landmarks like Old Trafford and Salford Quays, before finishing near the towering Beetham Tower on Deansgate. Along the way, participants were treated to DJ trucks, pop-up performances, and raucous charity cheering zones hosted by teams from The Christie, Macmillan, Manchester Foundation Trust, and Alzheimer’s Society.
To accommodate the massive influx of visitors, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) enacted extensive road closures throughout the day, strongly urging attendees to use the Metrolink tram network instead of driving or relying on diverted buses. St Peter’s Square, Piccadilly Gardens, and Deansgate-Castlefield were designated as the primary tram stops for event access. The Bee Network deployed extra staff, operated more double-trams, and strategically relocated cycle hire bikes to help manage the crowds. "The Great Manchester Run is always one of the highlights of the city’s events calendar, bringing a fantastic festival atmosphere to the streets of Manchester, Trafford and Salford," said Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM. He added, "With tens of thousands of people expected to travel into the city region it will undoubtedly be a very busy day. We want to make sure everyone can take part in or enjoy the event, which is why we encourage people to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journey and check the latest travel information before setting off."
The action kicked off at 7:55 AM with the elite wheelchair race, followed by the half marathon at 8:00 AM. The 10k event saw elite runners begin at 11:30 AM, with four subsequent waves of participants, the last departing at 1:10 PM. Water stations and on-course showers awaited runners along Ashton Old Road, and medical teams were on hand to provide support and advice—including a reminder not to gulp water too quickly after exertion.
The 2026 edition was particularly notable for incorporating the UK Athletics 10K Road Championships, drawing a top-tier field of elite runners. Marc Scott, winner of the Great Manchester Run in 2021 and runner-up in 2023, returned with high expectations. "I’ve had good success here in Manchester. It’s got a good course to run quick as well, which also helps bring some good elites. I managed to take the win in 2021 and I was a runner up in 2023. I’m feeling good. The shape’s in a good place, so I’m looking forward to Sunday," Scott said ahead of the race. He praised the course for its flat, fast stretches and wide roads, noting, "Manchester is a good course to run quick. It’s relatively flat so you get the out and back on the dual carriageway, nice open wide roads help as well."
Verity Ockenden, the reigning UK Athletics 10 Mile Road Champion, also eyed the podium. She reflected on her training and the championship atmosphere: "I’ve come from a really great block of training, which I would love to say will give me a pb, but obviously it always depends on the conditions on the day. So I’ll just give it my best and we’ll see." Ockenden welcomed the depth of the field, saying, "One of the best things I think about this year’s race is that it’s incorporating the British Championships, so I know there’s going to be a lot of really strong British runners. We should have a good pack, which means we’ll work well together and hopefully help each other to some good performances. We’ve got Lily Partridge and Clara Evans, both of whom are incredible British marathon runners. Definitely they’re going to have the endurance to go the distance and we’ll just see if I can keep up with them. I personally would love to come away with a British medal."
The elite men’s 10k race featured a stacked lineup including Morgan Beadlescomb, Selemon Barega (the defending champion), Iliass Aouani, Andy Butchart, Mahamed Mahamed, Lily Partridge, and Clara Evans. The competition was fierce, but it was Selemon Barega who crossed the finish line first, clocking an impressive 27:37. Santiago Catrofe took second in 27:39, with Oscar Chelimo close behind at 27:42. In the women’s 10k, Klara Lukan surged to victory in 30:58, followed by Weini Kelati (31:17) and Amy-Eloise Neale (32:16).
The wheelchair races showcased remarkable athleticism and determination. David Weir sped to victory in the men’s division with a time of 21:19, trailed by Johnboy Smith (22:12) and Sean Frame (22:28). Melanie Woods led the women’s field, finishing in 24:09, with Claudia Burrough (27:57) and Joanna Robertson (27:59) rounding out the podium.
The event was broadcast live on BBC Two from 11:00 to 13:00 BST, with finish-line coverage streaming on GreatRunTV. For those unable to attend in person, highlights, photos, and updates were available throughout the day, capturing the joy and grit of thousands of runners.
Beyond the competition, the Great Manchester Run was filled with stories of courage and inspiration. Among the finishers was Lee Hannah, a nurse from Manchester Royal Infirmary, who marked a decade since surviving a stroke by completing ten 10k races this year, raising £10,200 for the Stroke Association. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham took part in the 10k to raise money for a new NHS gym for addiction recovery, even poking fun at his running attire on social media. The day’s final finisher, Angela Summers, battling stage 4 cancer and mourning the recent loss of her husband, drew cheers for her incredible perseverance. And in a particularly poignant moment, Yoni Finlay, who survived a synagogue terror attack just eight months prior, completed the half marathon to raise money for the Friendship Circle, sharing his story with local reporters at the finish line.
For those who crossed the finish line, the celebration didn’t end with a medal. Presenting their medals at any of 12 participating city venues, runners could claim free drinks, cookies, and ice cream—a sweet reward for their efforts. Organizers have already opened registration for the 2027 event, promising another year of excitement and community spirit.
As the sun set over Manchester, the city’s streets gradually reopened, but the echoes of cheers and the memories of thousands of runners lingered. The Great Manchester Run once again proved why it remains a staple of the city’s sporting calendar—a day when records are broken, spirits are lifted, and Manchester comes together as one.