North West Air Ambulance
Sign up for FREE Fundraise £240

North West Air Ambulance

Flying to save lives. Support this great cause and join the North West Air Ambulance team taking part in Great Manchester Run Half Marathon on Sunday 18 May. Sign up today for FREE!

  • Sun 18 May 2025
Portland Street, Manchester

Half Marathon

08:20

Age 17 & over

Sign up FREE

Fundraise £240

  • 13.1 miles road running

Overview

In true Mancunian style, it’s a party from start to finish, with a high-energy soundtrack, live music and entertainment zones at every turn – plus, some of the loudest and most enthusiastic local support seen anywhere in the UK. Go Manchester!

It’s a run for everyone, of all ages and abilities, whether you’re just beginning your running journey, or conquering your 50th half marathon. So whether you do it to hit a fitness goal, to do something incredible for charity, to hear thousands of strangers cheering you on, or simply for fun, take your place on the start line and experience it all for yourself. It’s an experience like no other, be part of it!

Highlights

  • Fast and flat city centre route past iconic landmarks
  • Music and entertainment every kilometre
  • Free training plans and support up to event day
  • Run number personalised with your name
  • Exclusive discounts when you sign up
  • Free Great Run series event day tracking app
  • £10 off your next Great Run if you refer a friend

This event is part of Great Manchester Run.

Event video

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

Saturday

Sunday

  • 10K and Half Marathon

Wheelchair users

The Great Manchester Run half marathon course is unsuitable for wheelchair participants however wheelchair participants of all abilities are welcome into the Great Manchester Run 10K. 

  • 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

Summary

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.

Map

map

Flyover

  • 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
  • Pre-event training sessions
  • Training plan
  • T-shirt

Included

  • The medal

    A shiny new, Great Manchester Run medal, an exclusive finishers t-shirt plus a finisher’s bag filled with goodies.

  • The photos

    Official event day photos available to view and purchase straight after the event, so smile for the cameras!

  • The app

    Event day tracking and results ready to view on the app shortly after you cross the finish line.

  • The discounts

    Access to exclusive runners only discounts and offers via the rewards platform.

medal

Optional extra

  • iTAB

    Make it personal with an iTAB. Order yours when you sign up.

  • T-shirt

    For environmental reasons the official t-shirt is now optional.

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support

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?

  • 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

£46.00

Entry fee

£52.00

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.

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