Greater Manchester Marathon is sold out
The Greater Manchester Marathon - which is back for the first time after a decade and takes place on Sunday 29 April - is now sold out with all 8,000 places snapped up.
The event starts and finishes in Longford Park, Stretford, with the 26.2 mile route going through the sporting heart of Manchester and taking runners past the Imperial War Museum, the new Media City, Trafford Park and Dunham Massey.
"I am thrilled that we have achieved a sell out for the first Greater Manchester Marathon after 10 years," said Race Director Simon Hill. "This is already an iconic race with huge potential for growth and development over the years to come. The support from the local communities, businesses and runners has been incredible and I can’t wait to hear the start gun on 29th April!"
The organisers have been actively encouraging residents to come out on the Sunday morning and line the streets of their communities, cheer on the runners, support the event and make the atmosphere one to remember for everyone taking part. They also launched a ‘Community Spirit’ initiative with a £500 cash prize being offered to the best supporting community as voted by the runners making their way around the Greater Manchester Marathon course.
A further £500 cash prize will be offered to the best entertainment group, again voted for by the runners. Ten different entertainment zones including male voice choirs, samba bands, cheerleaders and indie bands will be positioned along the route and create a unique, inspiring atmosphere.
The event will have an international start field with entries received from over 20 countries including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Details of the elite field will be announced next week.
Another date for the diary is the Greater Manchester Marathon Expo, which gives all runners the opportunity to meet a range of exhibitors who can answer any last minute questions and give advice on products and services to help runners on their 26.2 mile journey. The Expo takes place at the Stretford Leisure Centre with opening times on Friday 27 April from 12noon to 9pm and Saturday 28 April from 9am to 6.00pm. There will be lots of giveaways and exclusive discounts on the day as well as some great prizes to be won, and marathon legend Ron Hill will be at the Expo to sign his book too. ‘Packet pick up’ will also be available.
The Expo is open to runners as well as their families and friends, and anyone who is interested in finding out what it’s all about, thinking about taking part in 2013, or just wants to feel the pre race buzz.
Sponsoring partners for the Greater Manchester Marathon include Brooks Sports, Up and Running, Gatorade, Garmin, Virgin Money Giving, HSS Hire, Myers Lister Price Solicitors, National Careers Service, BiG Storage, 102 Capital FM and Trafford Council.
Sponsoring supporters include Moving Comfort, Clif Bar, Cresta Court Hotel, Original Source, The Printworks, Athlete Matters, Breathe Unity and Marathon-Photos.
For the 2012 Greater Manchester Marathon in Trafford the event has forged relationships with five key local charities (Henshaws Society for the Blind, The Christie Charitable Fund, Manchester United Foundation, 102 Capital FM Help a Capital Child, and Shoot for the Moon) and two national charities (Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care).
Many runners are also raising funds for numerous other charities of their choosing. Some of these charities have limited places left; please follow the link and get in touch with the charities directly if you do still want to take part and be on the start line at the end of this month.
Go to www.greatermanchestermarathon.com for further details, runner info and course maps.