Manchester Marathon

Sunday April 27th | Manchester | Author by Paul Bednall

The Manchester Marathon holds a strong position among UK marathons. Its large participant numbers, and high demand for places contribute to its reputation. While the London Marathon is the most famous, Manchester's growth and organization have established it as an alternative premier event. Driven by this fact and only previously participating in the much lower key Boston UK marathon I entered in the positive euphoria straight after spectating at last years event.

The start was well organised and we met many friends from our club and other local running clubs adding to the atmosphere. Already the sun was beaming down and although initially cool by the time we got to the start at 9:50 it was warming up. At my last Marathon I had worn a hydration vest but in training I had realised this was keeping me too warm so I opted just to carry the vests flexible inner bottle which when empty could be carried in my pocket. My gels were in a waist belt which proved to be rather annoying. The bottle however was invaluable, filling it at each water station and decanting to mouth and body as I ran until I got to the next water station.

My first race goal was to run to my fitness pace, having just run a 1:43 half and a 45 something 10K, I would be looking at 3:40 but I knew this was ambitious because of my old legs and the latter mile fatigue encountered in my previous Marathon. So hence my second goal, to get a PB, and a fall back goal of going under 4 hours.This third goal proved to be the achievable and sensible option on the day.   

One of the most significant changes for 2025 was the introduction of a new route. While the Manchester Marathon is known for being relatively flat, the updated course still presented some challenges. The race started near Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, and runners passed through Stretford, Sale, and Altrincham. Entering the city we approached by the iconic Hulme arched bridge, a symbol of the regeneration that is taking place. A key change was the new finish line, which was moved to Oxford Road, providing a stunning backdrop with the University of Manchester. The route aimed to showcase more of Greater Manchester, and it was generally well-received by runners, though I enjoyed spectating at the traditional finish last year and the party atmosphere of Deansgate was sadly missed.

A notable feature of the Manchester Marathon route, even with the changes, is the section in Altrincham. While not a very long or steep climb compared to some other marathons, "Altrincham Hill" is a point where runners often feel the effort, especially around the halfway mark. The crowds in Altrincham provided excellent support, particular on Regent Road with close chanting like a mountain stage on the Tour de France to help runners tackle this part of the course.

The 2025 Manchester Marathon took place on a day with unusually hot weather. Many runners found the conditions challenging, with temperatures higher than those experienced during their training. This led to a large number of runners needing medical attention for heat-related issues, and many had to adjust their race strategies. Hydration became crucial, and spectators played a role in helping runners cope with the heat by offering water and hose-downs.

Running with the 3:45 pacer at about 10 miles he asked everyone how they felt, yes I felt good, but in my head I remembered the words of an experienced Marathon runner at Boston “these are the easy miles”. I kept quiet not wanting to tempt fate but sure enough at around 17 miles I fell behind the pacer as my legs started to fatigue, I had fueled every 20 minutes but there comes a point where gels and sugar just don't cut it. Gradually my pace dropped as the pain increased resisting the urge to walk as I passed several friendly Bees in the crowd. The support was much appreciated and kept me going on those last few miles weaving around those that had succumbed to walking. This coupled with the fact the route is wide and the race line is undefined meant I had run 0.2 miles over the official distance Luckily there was a sign at a mile to go and I knew a 10 minute mile would see me break 4 hours, normally a steady pace for me but a challenge on this occasion. I did it with a big effort and a mere 13 seconds to spare. 

The finish line on Oxford Road was a major change for 2025. The new location, framed by the University of Manchester, added a sense of grandeur to the final stretch. I appreciated the vibrant atmosphere and the iconic backdrop as we completed the 26.2-mile journey with narration provided by a Chris Moyles sound alike. See if you can spot me on you tube at 40 seconds in.

https://youtu.be/RG3R5Ujil7Q?t=18362 

Dronfield Running Club had several members participating in the 2025 Manchester Marathon. The training and support the club provided for runners of all abilities, and their participation in the Manchester Marathon is a testament to the club's commitment to distance running. As well as myself the other Bees brave enough to tackle a Marathon were Reece Cartwright, Kirsty Denton, Tom Baggaley, Tracy Knight, Tom Throssell, Mark Phillipson and Andy Naylor many of whom were first timers. Lindsey Crowson had the stand out performance in producing her third successive Marathon PB.

Marathon participation is a challenge not to be taken lightly, we get somethings right and somethings wrong. Letting people know my third goal took the pressure off me, I got hydration right (no headache after) but next time I’d carry a back pack bladder, fueling needs improvement, feet survived (this was a problem at my last marathon). I’ll have to remember to smile on the finish line next time.

The Manchester Marathon 2025 was a memorable event, with challenging weather conditions, and strong community spirit of both runners and spectators. The new finish line added a fresh dimension to the race, while the hot weather tested the resilience of all participants. Will I be back, well not next year but maybe one day!