Sunday 10th October 2021 saw Europe’s 4^th largest marathon event, the Therme Manchester Marathon, return to Greater Manchester in its hotly anticipated comeback following the coronavirus pandemic. With its sister event, the Manchester Half, taking place on the same day for the first time, the Therme Manchester Marathon bought a fantastic £7.4 million boost into the local economy, with a specific targeting towards Manchester City Centre and Trafford.

With a record number of 40,000 runners entered across both events, runners were able to enjoy local hospitality, transport and accommodation over the event weekend from October 9th to October 10th. This year also welcomed in a new route for the Therme Manchester Marathon, with the starting section heading into the city centre for the first time in the event’s history. Such a move also ensured that local businesses in the city centre saw a beneficial increase in trade.

This year, event organisers Human Race implemented a series of covid-19 health and safety measures in order to protect both runners and spectators. A Spectator Guide was introduced encouraging only one spectator per runner, spectators to keep a safe distance from others, avoiding high-fiving and touching runners, and, for the first time, spectators were not allowed in the Athlete’s Village, Start and Finish areas. Digital coverage of the event was also boosted so that supporters could watch from afar and follow the action, with a live feed broadcast, live coverage on the website and live tracking.

With Spectator guidelines in place informing supporters how they can spectate safely, the Therme Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half saw well over 50,000 spectators attending the event weekend. With over 17,000 travelling from outside Greater Manchester, and spending an average two nights in commercial accommodation in the region, this bought in a revenue of £4.7 million.

Furthermore over 8,000 spectators stayed in non-commercial accommodation and 21,600 visitors attended on the day which brought in a staggering £2.4 million spend to the area.

Human Race also donated £1 from every entry to the Trafford Active Fund with the purpose of developing sport and combatting inactivity in the local area. Earlier this year, £46,000 was awarded to organisations deeply impacted by the pandemic. With the completion of the 2021 event, event organisers have been inundated with registrants of interest regarding possible opportunities within their organisation. Official Apparel Partner, HOKA ONE ONE, also donated £1 to the Trafford Active Fund for every race bib posted on their celebration wall.

Nick Rusling, CEO of event organisers Human Race said:

“There was a lot of disappointment in 2020 for all involved, when so many much- loved events were not able to go ahead due to coronavirus. We were delighted to be welcoming back thousands of runners to one of the UK’s greatest cities, and Manchester did not disappoint! The people of Manchester continue to make this event so special and create a true welcoming home for our runners.

“With all of our events, we commit ourselves to create a positive impact on the local area, and we are elated to be in a position where we can contribute to the economy, support businesses, and give back to the community in the form of charitable donations from the Trafford Active Fund. This year, we continued to focus on sustainability and the environmental impact of our events, and we implemented a number of measures to ensure we were as ‘green’ as we could be.”

In addition to the personal achievement of crossing the finish line, many runners were also raising vital funds for Therme Manchester Marathon’s official charity partners the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, WWF, The Christie and ABF The Army’s National Charity, in addition to other charitable causes. Over 2,000 runners were entered for charity and fundraised a staggering £3.1million this year.

Now the 4^th largest marathon in Europe and the 2^nd largest in the UK, the Therme Manchester Marathon is hugely popular due to its fast flat course, and the unrivalled Mancunian atmosphere. With a rich history dating back as far 1908, the annual event has become a destination for keen runners from all over the country who are looking to nail a new personal best time, and many first timers find its supportive and welcoming atmosphere the perfect place to achieve a life goal.

Highlights of the 2021 event can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N9lUf9vV1I

The organisers have seen a record demand for entries into next year’s event which will be held on Sunday 3rd April 2022.  To get your guaranteed place visit www.manchestermarathon.co.uk.

 

ENDS

Contact

Emma Sayers

Marketing Executive at Human Race Ltd

Emma.Sayers@humanrace.co.uk

About Therme Manchester Marathon

The Therme Manchester Marathon is Europe’s fourth biggest marathon and one of the UK’s premier running events attracting upwards of 30,000 runners each year. Famous for its fast, flat and friendly route, the Therme Manchester Marathon is run by some of the world’s greatest elite runners, right through to those who thought completing a marathon would never be possible. Many regular runners find this the ideal event to get a personal best time, whilst everybody finds the incredible Mancunian support throughout the course unforgettable. For more information and to enter the event please visit manchestermarathon.co.uk

About Human Race

Human Race is the UK’s leading mass participation events company, putting on over 9 events each year in triathlon, cycling, running, and duathlon. Part of Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), owners of the Tour de France and the leader in the French running and sportive market, Human Race’s prestigious portfolio includes the Therme Manchester Marathon, Manchester Half, Royal Windsor Triathlon, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run and the Dragon Ride. The company also specialises in delivering bespoke corporate events, working with businesses such as JLL.

Human Race’s events bring together an active community of people taking part in sporting events for reasons ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish. The participants vary from nervous first timers of all ages through to World Champions. Collectively, the events raise millions of pounds for hundreds of charities each year. www.humanrace.co.uk

About Therme Group

Therme Group is a global wellbeing leader, driven by an inclusive vision of ‘Wellbeing for All’. Therme’s landmark entertainment and wellbeing destinations are a unique immersive environment, based in ancient traditions of thermal bathing combined with modern technology. This unique blended experience includes water-based activities with fitness programming, attractions, wellbeing therapies, art and culture, botanics, food and nutrition. As much as a fun and relaxing experience, Therme’s projects benefit mental and physical health, rejuvenating all who visit, and making a positive economic and social impact for the communities they serve. Environmental consciousness is at the heart of Therme, using sustainable design and technology to create affordable and inclusive environments which welcome many millions of visitors every year. With more than 20 years’ experience, Therme Group and its strategic partners operate four facilities In Europe and have multiple destinations in development worldwide including the UK, mainland Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.