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?
My Manchester Marathon Journey
This was my third time running the Manchester Marathon. In 2016, I set my personal best (PB) with a time of 4:29:16. The following year, I returned after receiving a discount due to a major baggage delay in 2016. Sadly, despite all my hard work, I caught a cold during race week and finished with a time of 4:41.
Not one to give up, I entered again with a new goal: aiming for a time of around 4:20. I’d been following an advanced training plan and had already set PBs in both a 10-mile race and a half marathon during my prep, so I was feeling optimistic.
Race Day: Pre-Start Anticipation
A couple of friends decided to join me this time, making training and the big day even more fun. We arrived at the race village just after 8 a.m., but traffic was crazy due to road closures and race-day chaos. After a quick bathroom stop, it was time to head to the starting line for the 9 a.m. kick-off. The weather was perfect—a pleasant surprise after the cold, snowy conditions we’d faced during training!
With so many runners, it took about 15 minutes to cross the start line, but once we did, the atmosphere was electric.
Manchester Marathon Route Overview
The race starts and ends at the iconic Old Trafford stadium. The route takes you through several areas around Greater Manchester, including Sale, Altrincham, Carrington, and Flixton, before looping back to finish where it all began.
I don’t usually study race routes in advance as it makes me anxious, so I just focused on enjoying the moment.
Navigating the Race: From Old Trafford to Altrincham
The first part of the race is a 3-mile loop that brings you back around to Old Trafford. Unfortunately, I’d started too far back and found myself stuck behind the 5-hour pacer, which meant the first 5 miles were spent weaving through runners.
The water stations were chaotic, with people pushing and shoving for bottles. I prefer to grab one and hold onto it until I’ve finished, which helped me avoid the mad rush at later stations. My focus was on getting to mile 16—once I hit that point, I could mentally start counting down to the finish line.
The Crowd Support: Manchester at its Best
The crowd support in Manchester is incredible. The course winds through residential areas where locals come out in full force to cheer on the runners. From water bottles and jelly babies to hose pipes and high-fives from kids, it felt like the whole city was rooting for us. My Manchester-themed playlist added an extra boost, but truthfully, the crowd alone was enough to keep me motivated.
The Final Stretch: Fighting Fatigue
At mile 18, the fatigue kicked in, just as I’d expected. My pace slowed, but I kept moving. By mile 22, I got a second wind, feeling a rush of energy as the finish line grew closer. I glanced at my watch at mile 24—could I break 4:20? It seemed possible.
With Oasis’ Headshrinker blasting through my headphones, I channeled my inner Liam Gallagher and pushed hard towards the finish. I crossed the line at 4:20:07—just seven seconds off my target!
Post-Race Thoughts: A New Personal Best
Initially, I felt a bit disappointed that I hadn’t dipped under 4:20, but I quickly realized I’d still set a new PB by 9 minutes. I’d given it everything I had, and that’s all I could ask for. After grabbing my post-race pint at the Erdinger tent, I tracked my friends, who also crushed it. I couldn’t have been prouder of them!
