6 Inspirational adidas Manchester Marathon 2026 finishers

From world records to deeply personal causes, this year’s adidas Manchester Marathon brought together a remarkable mix of participants whose stories went far beyond the finish line.

1. Madhusmita Jena

Madhusmita Jena, a mother-of-two from Stockport, set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in a sari at the adidas Manchester Marathon, showing that people can run in whatever clothing they feel comfortable in while also raising funds for her school. Read more about Madhusmita Jena’s story here.

2. Cameron Frazer

Cameron Frazer set a new Guinness World Record by becoming the fastest man to complete a marathon while on dialysis, finishing the adidas Manchester Marathon in 4:29:57. After being diagnosed with vasculitis and experiencing kidney failure, he took on the challenge to raise money for Kidney Care UK and show what’s possible while living with a serious long-term condition. Read Cameron’s full story here.

3. Ivo Graham & Rosie Jones

Comedians Rosie Jones and Ivo Graham completed a hat-trick by taking on the adidas Manchester Marathon as their third marathon. Find out more about how they got on here.

5. Iain Ward

Iain Ward, known as the King of Chemo, also took on the adidas Manchester Marathon wearing a 20kg weighted vest as part of his ongoing extreme endurance challenges while living with terminal brain cancer. After also completing the Paris Marathon the week prior, he is on a mission to break the world record for most money raised by a marathon runner.

6. Jim Goodall

Jim Goodall, from Manchester, was another inspirational runner on the course, completing the marathon in tribute to his father, who died from cancer almost 25 years ago, and his best friend of over 30 years, who passed away from a brain tumour in November 2024. He is running 26 marathons in their memory, one for each year without them, while raising vital funds for The Christie hospital.

We hope you’re as inspired as we are by all the people who lined up at this year’s adidas Manchester Marathon.