Manchester, UK: Sunday 10^th October 2021 will see up to 40,000 runners take to the streets of Manchester to run the Therme Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half Marathon, one of the largest running events to take place post-pandemic.

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. Indeed, 2021 sees 14,000 of the runners challenging themselves to their first ever marathon.

Also for the first time, the Manchester Half Marathon will take place on the same day as the Therme Manchester Marathon, with 8,000 runners due to take part.

After an extremely challenging 18 months for all, Therme Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half will be a welcome celebration on the national and global stage and will showcase Manchester as a wellbeing-focused city of the future.

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. However we have used the time to build upon our fun and friendly marathon event that is open and accessible to runners of all abilities and really engages the local community. This year marks a celebration, as all our runners can finally put their training and hard work to the test and challenge themselves to complete the course.”

“With the recent development that we will be the UK’s largest spring marathon in 2022, we have seen an unprecedented surge in runners committing themselves to the challenge of taking on 26.2miles. We would recommend securing your entry for next time now as it will be popular!”

With thousands of runners taking part in the race, organisers Human Race have ensured there are a number of measures in place to ensure the safety of runners, crew and volunteers. These included a requirement to complete a health declaration before the event, proof of a negative lateral flow test, allocated arrival times, and an extended period for starting to ensure greater space for everyone.

Places in next year’s Therme Manchester Marathon, which is set to return on Sunday 3^rd April 2022, are available to secure now. To find out more about how to run or volunteer at the next event, visit www.manchestermarathon.co.uk.

New route

Runners of this year’s Therme Manchester Marathon will be the first to run a new route through the city centre taking in some of the city’s iconic landmarks before heading to Trafford and areas such as Sale and Altrincham.

A new route video has just been released online showing the three-mile section into the city centre passing the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel amongst many others. It can be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/HVdmJqSrBwQ

Elite athletes

Hungarian runner Fanni Gyurko, Swansea’s Elinor Kirk and Danielle Nimmock of Essex are expected to lead the female field, while local Altrincham athlete Andy Norman is the favourite to take out the men’s elite race.

Charity and Economic Impact

In addition to the personal achievement of crossing the finish line, many runners are 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. Organisers are also donating £1 from every entry to the Trafford Active Fund with the purpose of developing sport in the local area, with £46,000 awarded earlier this year to organisations deeply impacted by the pandemic.

In 2019, the Manchester Marathon bought £6.1million to Greater Manchester as runners made use of the city’s hospitality, and 2021 should be no different.

A legend remembered

This will be the first Therme Manchester Marathon since the sad passing of Ron Hill. During his career Ron broke four world records and ran 115 marathons. In 1970 he ran a new record marathon time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 28 seconds. This still stands as one of the greatest British marathon times to this day.

A minutes applause will be held for Ron Hill before the first start of the day.

How to follow the event

Supporters who can’t make it on the day can tune into a live stream of the event at 07:50 via the website at www.manchestermarathon.co.uk where they can follow the progress of their friends and family members taking part.

Planning Ahead

The Therme Manchester Marathon 2021 takes place on Sunday 10^th October and will involve road closures in parts of Greater Manchester and Trafford. There will be various road closures taking place to make way for runners on the day. Those making their way to the event are encouraged to use public transport where possible to avoid delays and traffic congestion.

To view road closures and timings specific to your area, please visit  www.manchestermarathon.co.uk for more information and to view the 2021 interactive route map.

ENDS

Contact

Emma Sayers

Marketing Executive at Human Race Ltd

Emma.Sayers@humanrace.co.uk

About Manchester Marathon

The 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 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 15 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 Dragon Ride, Royal Windsor Triathlon, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run and the Manchester Marathon. 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.