The adidas Manchester Marathon has once again teamed up with Manchester Metropolitan University to produce a standout finisher T-shirt for 2026, and this year’s winning design comes from local student Faris Owynat.

Set to be worn by more than 43,000 participants signed up to conquer 26.2 miles on Sunday 19th April 2026, the design celebrates both the spirit of the marathon and the character of Manchester itself.

Born and raised in the city, Faris brings Manchester’s culture, creativity and grit into every piece of work they create.

“Manchester is built into how I think creatively” Faris explains. “There’s always a reason behind what I do and I’ve always been into graphic design.”

What was the very first idea you sketched for this year’s finisher T-shirt?

“At the start, I played around with splitting the adidas Manchester Marathon logo into slices and putting something Manchester-related into each one. It was a solid starting point, but it felt a bit obvious, so I moved on and started exploring something more unique and representative of the event.”

How did Manchester influence the final look?

“Manchester influenced it a lot. The music, the history, even the rain all feed into the city’s character. There’s a toughness to Manchester, but also a lot of creativity, and I wanted the design to reflect that balance.”

Is there one detail you’re especially proud of?

“I’m really proud of how I worked the marathon route into the logo. It makes the design feel directly connected to the race itself. I also like the blue and red lines forming a subtle bee pattern, it’s not immediately obvious, but it means a lot if you spot it.”

What do you want participants to feel when they see it at the finish line?

“I want them to feel proud straight away. Finishing a marathon takes so much effort, and I wanted the T-shirt to feel like a proper reward, something that really marks the achievement.”

How did it feel to be selected as the official finisher T-shirt artist?

“It honestly felt unreal. I was really proud to be selected, especially for an event in my home city. Seeing something I designed become part of such a big moment for so many people is something I won’t forget.”

With thousands of runners set to pull on Faris’s design at the finish line, the 2026 adidas Manchester Marathon finisher T-shirt promises to be a lasting symbol of determination, pride and the city that inspires it.

Thank you Faris, for your incredible work, we can’t wait to see Manchester wearing it with pride on event day.