Half Marathon
Sun 26 May 2024 Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

Great Manchester Run Half Marathon

Manchester's original running event famous for its city centre route, buzzing atmosphere, iconic music, entertainment zones, football stadia and great PB potential. Charity places available for 2024.

Get charity place
  • Sun 26 May 2024
Portland Street, Manchester

Half Marathon

08:30

£41-£49

Age 17 & over

  • 13.1 miles road running

Overview

Manchester's original running event is famous for its city centre route, buzzing atmosphere from start to finish, iconic music and entertainment zones every kilometre of the course, and of course Mancunian spirit in abundance!

Join thousands of your friends and neighbours at the Great Manchester Run this year, the city’s must-do event. With entertainment zones that celebrate local character at every kilometre, some of the best (and loudest!) crowd support anywhere in the world, and all the action televised live on the BBC, it’s a party atmosphere from start to finish.

It’s a run for everyone, from locals to celebrated athletes, whether it’s your first 10k or your 50th half marathon. An inclusive celebration of Mancunian running, with music blazing, crowds buzzing, legs pumping and fists bumping. The city comes alive on Great Manchester Run weekend.

Highlights

  • Manchester's greatest running events

    Broadcast live on the BBC with Mancunian spirit in abundance.

  • City centre start plus iconic landmarks

    A flat and fast city tour with many exciting highlights including both football grounds!

  • Famous entertainment zones

    Every kilometre you'll be inspired and motivated.

  • Incredible weekend of running

    Including a half marathon, 10K, family events and cheering supporters!

This event is part of Great Manchester Run.

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams
  • Wheelchair users

Saturday

  • Junior and Mini events

Sunday

  • 10K and Half Marathon

  • Accommodation
  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Paid parking
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Portland Street
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M1 4LX
UK

  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • PB
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start
  • Way markers
Great Manchester Run Half Marathon route map
GREAT MANCHESTER RUN HALF MARATHON ROUTE MAP 2023
City tour with many famous highlights including Salford Quays and both football grounds.

Boasting a city centre start and finish, the course lends itself to a great PB and takes runners on a wonderful city tour featuring Manchester United football ground, Manchester City football ground, the Etihad Stadium, Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum and Albert Square.

  • Public transport links
  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy
  • Trees not tees

Trees not tees

Finisher tees are now optional. You can choose to forgo your finisher tee shirt at the point of entry, and in lieu of this the organiser will make a donation to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal.

The organisers will donate a portion of the fulfilment costs for each runner who chooses this option to the fund and commit that this donation to be a minimum of £20,000 in 2023.

  • Chip timing
  • Event app
  • Goody bag
  • GPS tracking
  • iTAB
  • Medal
  • Training plan
  • T-shirt

Included

  • A huge round of applause as you cross the finish line
  • A shiny new, Great Manchester Run medal
  • An exclusive finishers t-shirt
  • A finisher’s bag filled with goodies
  • Official event day photos available to view and purchase straight after the event
  • Your official result ready shortly after you cross the finish line
  • Special offers from partners and sponsors

Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • Fundraising support

    Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and five-time Olympian Jo Pavey!

  • Branded running kit

    When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.

  • Support on the day

    When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!

  • Post-race recovery

    Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.

  • Exclusive social groups

    You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

What are charity places?

Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and secure a place in the event.

Running a half marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Children

NSPCC

Every childhood is worth fighting for.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
£10

Fundraise
£250

Free sign up Health and Medical

The Christie

Making a real difference to cancer patients, both now and in the future.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£200

Health and Medical

Stroke Association

Rebuilding lives after stroke.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£250

Animals

Dogs Trust

Running rehoming centres to save over 16,000 abandoned dogs annually.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£350

Health and Medical

Diabetes UK

Know Diabetes. Fight Diabetes.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Supporter cheer packs
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Exclusive social group
  • Memento

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£250

Heart

British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer but the BHF is leading the fight against it.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Free massage

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

International

British Red Cross

Helping people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£200

Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Free massage
  • Pre-event training sessions

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

  • Age 17 & over
  • 25000 places
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post

Entry fees

Early bird entry fee

£41.00

Entry fee

£49.00

This event is awesome. We take part every year and whatever your fitness level, age, or reasons to take part, you are guaranteed a life-affirming experience.

My favourite 10K! Incredible support and entertainment all around the course to keep you going. Manchester is a special city and this is always a special event.

Rain, hail or shine, the amazing folk of Manchester come out every year to cheer you on! They pick you up at the start and carry you to the finish!

Wonderful atmosphere and would highly recommend this to anyone whether you're a 10K first timer or not.

A lovely, mainly flat route, which took in both the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford. A well-supported event, which I will be back to do again next year.

A really good 10K race, can't wait to do it all again next year! Crowds were really supportive and the bands/charity points helped keep enthusiasm levels up.