Charity places in Manchester Half Marathon
Sun 4 Oct 2026 Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

Manchester Half Marathon charity places for 2026

Secure your charity place in the Manchester Half today. Run a flat and fast 13.1 miles on fully closed roads while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

Find a charity
  • Sun 4 Oct 2026
Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester
Manchester Half Marathon

09:00

Age 17 & over

£50-£98

  • 13.1 miles road running + 64 m ascent

Event overview

Turn your miles into meaningful change.

Run for yourself — and for something bigger. Every step you take helps support incredible causes and makes a lasting difference in people’s lives.

Region's biggest half

The Manchester Half is a 13.1 mile challenge that takes place every October, starting and finishing by Old Trafford. It is easily the biggest half marathon in the region, with the 2025 event welcoming over 28,000 participants.

Highlights

  • City roads closed for you
  • Awesome live acts
  • North West favourite
  • Fast, flat and friendly
  • Top quality medal
  • Branded charity running vest

Run for charity

Many of these runners are taking part for charity. You too can join the masses of charity runners by getting a charity place in the event and supporting a cause close to your heart.

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 get a place in the event, especially if general entries are closed or uncertain.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus many extras which will elevate your event experience - see the Fundraising section.

The Manchester Half Marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?

Prefer to enter directly? General entry options are explained on the Manchester Half Marathon page.

Event video

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and provide your details.

Cancer £25 off

Bowel Cancer UK

Beating bowel cancer together.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group

£25 off until 1 Dec

Sign up
£35 £10

Fundraise
£375

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
£15

Fundraise
£280

Social welfare

Victim Support

Where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

  • T-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£300

Quick book Heart

HEART UK

The only charity in the UK to support people with high cholesterol.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£350

Older people

Independent Age

Advice and support for older age.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Pro training advice
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group
  • Certificate

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

Disability

Mencap

Helping people with a learning disability to live their lives as they choose.

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

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£300

Animals

Cats Protection

For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£250

Children

Young Epilepsy

Informing, educating, inspiring, and engaging to help young people with epilepsy.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£300

Cancer

Brainstrust

Helping the brain tumour community to feel less alone and more in control.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising incentives
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£40

Fundraise
£300

Free sign up Heart

Cardiomyopathy UK

Providing information and support to sufferers of this incurable disease which could affect anyone of any age.

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

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£350

Heart

Heart Research UK

Funding pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

  • T-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

  • Event village
  • Fancy dress
  • Spectators
  • Traders at event
  • Venue accessible

Provisional timetable

  • 07:00 | Event village and bag drop open
  • 08:00 | Start access area open
  • 08:55 | Wheelchair elites start
  • 09:00 | Elite race starts followed by all other start waves
  • 09:47 | First elite wheelchair finisher
  • 10:26 | First elite runner finisher
  • 10:45-13:00 | Other participants finish

  • Cut off time
  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Food stations
  • Headphones allowed
  • Marshals
  • PB
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start
  • Way markers

Overview

Get ready for even more charity cheer stations, epic live music, and electrifying DJ sets, all fuelled by the unmatched energy of tens of thousands of supporters lining the course (imagine loud, then double it).

The route will be officially measured by an independent body, and a certificate issued to ratify the official half marathon distance.

Map

map

Cut off time

3 hours.

  • Entertainment
  • Paid parking
  • Secure bag storage
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Talbot Road
Stretford
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M16 0PX
UK

Spectators

The new Manchester Half Supporter Hub is a fantastic go-to guide for watching loved ones at the much-anticipated event!

Use it to plan your day, including the best spots to watch participants; spectating tips and advice; and how to make the most of Manchester and enjoy an exciting day out.

  • 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 Olympic champs.

  • 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.

Great half marathon, good for a first timer, flat and easy run, very well run, easy start and finish, baggage collection slick, good also for a seasoned runner going for a PB as the course is flat and easy to run. Good water stations, great support, nice finishers tshirt and super medal. Chris B

Wonderful race to break a PB. Nelio S

This was my first ever half marathon and I already can’t wait until next years event. It was really well organised, fantastic support from the crowds and everyone involved. Well done to all the runners on the day, roll on next year! Adam R

My first ever half marathon completed, and I all can say is it was well organised from start to finish. Definitely will be back to run this again. James S

MHM was fantastic. Great communication, great logistics. Was able to beat my personal record. Will definitely come back  Dief C

This is the best run I've ever taken part in. Loads of stewards, well organised, amazing atmosphere, incredible (Beyond incredible) support from the local community, brilliant water stations, great course. Everything about it is amazing. Joel M

Absolutely spot on, really enjoyed it! David F

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

  • Chip timing
  • Drinks
  • Goody bag
  • iTAB
  • Medal
  • Race photo
  • Technical t-shirt
  • Training plan
image

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

Sustainability

  • Runners can enter as a Green Runner, choosing to skip their finisher t-shirt and/or medal in favour of a donation to City of Trees, supporting local reforestation projects.
  • This option helps reduce waste and the event’s environmental impact, with the cost of producing the skipped items donated directly to the charity.
  • In 2024, 7% of participants (2,152 runners) chose the Green Runner option — a growing community helping make the marathon more sustainable.

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4 steps to wellbeing
Sleep well

A good night's sleep is an essential foundation for a healthy lifestyle, effective training and weight control.

Train slow

Low-intensity training is easier for you, reduces the risk of injury and helps builds an efficient aerobic system.

Eat natural

Cut out sugar & junk food, reduce carbs, eat natural foods and train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Get outdoors

Fresh air, natural light and reconnecting with nature all help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.