The ASICS Manchester Half Marathon returns on Sunday, October 4, with an estimated 32,000 runners taking on the 13.1-mile course. This is a significant increase from the 22,500 participants last year, who raised over £1.8m for local and national charities.
For the first time, I will be among those 32,000 runners, despite having less than two months of training under my belt. The event, first held in 2016, has become one of the city's biggest events and is the largest half marathon in the region.
Route and Training
This year's event will start and end in Old Trafford, with the route taking in Chorlton, Sale, and Stretford. My own running journey has been on-and-off for the past eight years, starting with the Couch To 5K app in college and eventually fizzling out due to minor injuries and a loss of interest.
During lockdown, I took up running again for enjoyment, stopping tracking my runs and pace. At my peak, I was running a few miles most days and even attempted the odd 10k, but progress was difficult without proper guidance.
Motivation and Preparation
When I was offered a place in the Manchester Half in August, I jumped at the challenge. Covering the Great Manchester Run earlier this year and interviewing the artist behind the official Manchester Marathon collection in April motivated me to participate. The fact that it's one of the flattest courses in the country also helped.
Participants were offered a trial with the training app Runna, which provides personalised running plans. I found the app useful, as it gave structure to my training with customised runs and workouts. Since signing up, I've been running three or four times a week, mixing easy 5ks, interval sessions, and long runs. With a few days to go, I've tapered off and am now carb loading.
Charity and Personal Connection
I've decided to raise money for Pumping Marvellous, the UK's patient-led Heart Failure charity. This cause is close to my heart because my grandad passed away from heart failure in 2021. On Sunday, it will be almost five years to the day he passed away, and the route will take me near where he grew up and lived. I'll be thinking of him as I hopefully complete the run.
