When I saw the date of the Manchester Marathon, I knew I had to sign up – it fell on my birthday! What better way to celebrate than running 26.2 miles alongside 15,000 other runners?
This was my third time tackling the Manchester Marathon. Back in 2016, I set a personal best (PB) of 4:29:16. The following year, after a baggage delay in 2016, I returned thanks to a discount but caught a cold during race week and finished in 4:41.
Determined to improve, I entered again with a new goal: aiming for a 4:20 finish. Following an advanced training plan and already hitting PBs in a 10-mile race and a half marathon, I felt optimistic.
Race Day: Pre-Start Anticipation
This time, a couple of friends joined me, making training and race day even more fun. We arrived at the race village just after 8 a.m., though traffic was chaotic due to road closures. After a quick loo stop, it was time to head to the starting line for the 9 a.m. kick-off.
The weather couldn’t have been better – a welcome change from the cold, snowy training sessions. It took about 15 minutes to cross the start line, but once we did, the atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and energy.
Manchester Marathon Route Overview
The Manchester Marathon route starts and ends at the iconic Old Trafford stadium. Runners travel through Sale, Altrincham, Carrington, and Flixton before looping back to finish where it all began.
I usually avoid studying race routes in detail to prevent anxiety, so I focused on enjoying the moment and soaking in the sights.
Navigating the Race: From Old Trafford to Altrincham
The first 3 miles form a loop returning to Old Trafford. I started further back than planned, getting stuck behind the 5-hour pacer, which meant weaving through other runners for the first 5 miles.
Water stations were chaotic, with many runners grabbing bottles. I preferred to grab one and hold it until finished, which helped me stay calm. My main focus was reaching mile 16 – after that, I could mentally start counting down to the finish line.
The Crowd Support: Manchester at its Best
One of the highlights of the Manchester Marathon is the incredible crowd support. The course passes through residential areas where locals cheer, hand out water, jelly babies, and even spray runners with hoses. Kids high-fived everyone they could reach, creating a sense of community and energy that kept me going.
Even with my Manchester-themed playlist, the crowd alone was enough to fuel my motivation.
The Final Stretch: Fighting Fatigue and Chasing a PB
As expected, fatigue hit around mile 18. My pace slowed, but I kept pushing. By mile 22, a second wind kicked in, propelling me closer to the finish line. At mile 24, I wondered if I could break 4:20.
With Oasis’ Headshrinker blasting through my headphones, I channeled my inner Liam Gallagher and sprinted towards the finish. I crossed the line at 4:20:07, just seven seconds off my target!
Post-Race Thoughts: A New Personal Best
At first, I have to admit, I felt a tiny pang of disappointment – just seven seconds off my goal of breaking 4:20! But then I reminded myself that I’d still smashed my previous PB by nine whole minutes, which, let’s be honest, is a huge win. I’d poured everything into those 26.2 miles, and that feeling of giving it my absolute all? Honestly, that’s what really mattered.
After crossing the finish line, I wandered over to the Erdinger tent for a well-earned post-race pint, letting it sink in that I’d actually done it.
It honestly felt like the perfect birthday. Running, PBs, friends cheering each other on, and a few celebratory drinks – what more could you want? I couldn’t stop smiling, and I kept thinking how lucky I am to be able to share these things with people who get it.
