Great Manchester Run
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Event overview
The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run takes place in Manchester city centre on 31 May 2026. The event offers two distances:
- 10k
- Half marathon
Tens of thousands of runners normally take part. The route passes city landmarks including Coronation Street and the Imperial War Museum. Music and entertainment zones are present along the course. The event is linked with many charities; Alzheimer’s Society is the AJ Bell Great Run Series official charity.
Entries and eligibility
Entries are open and a booking fee of £3.00 is applied per entry. Saver prices listed are £43 for the 10k and £50 for the half marathon; later entry prices are shown as £48 and £55 respectively. Eligibility is set at age 15 and over for the 10k and age 17 and over for the half marathon on race day.
Course and practical information
Both races start on Portland Street near the junction with Oxford Street and finish on Deansgate. The half marathon begins with an incline and finishes with a downhill section; the 10k includes some downhill near the start and a short incline near the end. Road closures will affect several city streets on event day. Baggage buses are provided near the start - Deansgate for the half marathon and Hardman Street and Jackson’s Row for the 10k.
What participants receive
Finishers receive a medal, a finisher t-shirt (optional), and a finisher’s bag. Race numbers are personalised with the runner’s name and are dispatched about 1-2 weeks before the event; late entries must collect numbers on the morning. Official event photos, a free tracking app, free training plans, and runner discounts are available. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
