Sir Mo Farah is back in Manchester one Mo time this weekend as the four time Olympic champion takes on the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run as it celebrates its 20 year anniversary. The event has always been a celebration of all that is great about Manchester and according to race organisers this year’s landmark 20th event promises to be “the most special yet”.
Taking place on Sunday 21st May, will be Sir Mo Farah will be racing at the Great Manchester Run for the last time as he intends to retire after the Great North Run in Newcastle and South Shields this September. Sir Mo took part in the event in 2018, when he triumphed over Ugandan Moses Kipsiro in a memorable sprint finish with 100 metres to go, winning in a time of 28 minutes 27 seconds.
Farah said: “There is something incredibly special about racing in Manchester, the support from the city for me has always been phenomenal. I’m looking forward to seeing the crowds out on the streets and the thousands of other runners who will be running the half marathon and 10k. It will probably be quite emotional, but I’m so happy to have the chance to race in Manchester again before I retire.”
Plus, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that the Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah alongside Commonwealth Games champion Eilish McColgan have voiced a series of guest Metrolink announcements to be played on trams ahead of the Great Manchester Run this weekend. The decorated duo will be encouraging people to ‘get on your marks, get set, ‘mo!’ and plan ahead of what will be a busy day on the transport network in Manchester, Trafford and Salford.
Metrolink passengers will be reminded by Sir Mo and Eilish to touch-in and touch-out if paying by contactless. The athletes are the latest in a long-line of famous and familiar voices to be heard across the UK’s largest tram network, with Tony the Tiger, Professor Brian Cox, Shaun Ryder, Sir Kenneth Branagh and many others having also made guest announcements.
2023 marks the 20th Great Manchester Run and there is still time to join Sir Mo on the start line and be a part of this incredible celebration with registration remaining open until May 19. Whether you take on the 10k or Half Marathon challenge, you’ll line up on the iconic Portland Street start line and feel the goosebumps as you and 25,000 other runners follow the famous route, pass Manchester landmarks and set your sights on Deansgate for a grandstand finish.
With live music and entertainment zones at every turn, roaring charity cheering squads, plus the incredible locals who line the streets to cheer you on, it’ll be a party from start to finish. For more information and to sign up to the race head to the Great Manchester Run website here.