Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, has become the subject of widespread discussion after being photographed in unusually short running shorts. The images, taken outside his home as he set off for a jog, quickly spread across news sites and social media, drawing attention to his choice of fitness attire.
Burnham, who is standing as the Labour candidate for Ashton-in-Makerfield, has since been seen in various outfits on subsequent runs. However, he admitted that almost everyone he encountered the day after the photos emerged told him to 'get new running shorts'.
The mayor has confirmed that he buys his running gear from Up and Running, an independent fitness shop on Deansgate in Manchester. The shop's manager, Neil, said Burnham has been a customer for several years and has used their specialist gait analysis service. Neil added that seeing Burnham in their products was a talking point on the company's WhatsApp group.
Burnham has also had to defend his running route after being photographed leaving home for a jog and returning in a car. He explained on X that he often leaves his car at Newton station and runs to pick it up, adding that he did so on that day because he had a pint at a football match.
