This year, the adidas Manchester Marathon teamed up with the Manchester Met University on a 2025 finisher tee design that would knock the socks off our participants.

Third year Graphic Design student Kian Godbold’s design will be worn proudly by the 36,000 who cross the Oxford Road finish line on April 27th – and for weeks, months and years up and down the UK after the event!

We caught up with designer Kian to tell us more about what inspired his design, which captures what Manchester is all about.

Hi Kian – introduce yourself!

Hi, my name’s Kian. I’m 21 and from Barnsley but moved to Manchester in 2022 to study Graphic Design at the Manchester School of Art where I’m currently in my third and final year. After I graduate, I’m hoping to continue living in Manchester, and find work at a design studio. I love the city so might and it just feels like home!

Tell us about your design and what inspired it

One thing I love about Manchester is that it’s such a diverse city, so knew that I wanted to carry this into the design. I focused on the ‘M’ shaped logo of Manchester Marathon and explored different variations that were inspired by the sights and identity of the city.

I actually designed around 50 iterations of the logo but settled on 8 to sit alongside the original in the design. So, it’s safe to say I was very inspired by Manchester!

How did you feel to be selected as the official finisher tee artist?

There are so many talented students at my Uni, so I’m sure I had some fierce competition. I was rooting for my classmates and friends, but it was a really great feeling seeing that I had been selected.

 After living in Manchester for 3 years, what do you love about it?

Where to start? Obviously, there’s its iconic music scene that put Manchester on the map for me at a young age. The musical notes of the finisher tee also pay respect to the industry.

The people are great as well. Even though it’s a large city, Manchester has the community spirit of a small – even strangers are so kind and accommodating.

 I also love my university, the Manchester Met. I feel like I’ve grown so much in my time here with the support of the lecturers and staff. I wouldn’t have got opportunities like this without them!

Thanks, Kian, for telling us more about your epic design. We hope you’re proud!