I did it!! ..The Great Manchester Run.

So last weekend I took part in the Great Manchester Run…..and what a fantastic experience it was! I’ve never seen so many people in Manchester….over 35, 000 people took part in the 14 th race since they began back in 2003.

I ran with Martin, my sister and her husband and my aunties even joined in and walked the course…a family affair so to speak. We all entered the race to raise money for charity which we all did as a team effort. We raised over £850 for our charity and we’re as you can imagine over the moon for all the support we received.

The training was tough to start but I have to admit I did start to enjoy it, and was so pleased with myself for actually being able to run 10k…..I did the race in an hour and ten minutes which I was so happy with and I can see how people get the bug and carry on going entering more races and eventually marathons…a long way off for me but who knows maybe one day!

There was such a brilliant atmosphere in the city and so many people lining the streets to cheer us on, the spirit of Manchester was on show for all to see. The music along the route was fantastic and there was even a full brass band playing to keep us going. Lots of runners were in fancy dress…..not easy it’s hard enough running with your normal running gear….one man had a fridge attached to his back!! How he made it 10k I don’t know. The weather wasn’t kind to us but it didn’t stop us, we had pouring rain and wind….but maybe easier running conditions that hot sunshine.

There were a list of celebrities running with us, including Tina O’Brien from Coronation Street and Anthony Crolla the world championship boxer. 

It was a really humbling experience, lots of people running in memory of people they had lost, raising money for their special charities. Others running when clearly they had their own health issues, one very brave lady was running with oxygen tubes and her friend had her oxygen tank on her back….amazing and inspirational people.

I read this week that the event raised over 6 million pounds for various charities, including the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, Cancer Research and so many other great causes. Made me even prouder to have been part of it all.

So the question I asked myself was will I do another Great Manchester Run?….yes definitely…infact I think I’m going to enter another 10k race in July, the We Love Manchester race…..got to keep the running up now I’ve started it and who knows what will be next….watch this space.

Until next time Abbi xx