Great Manchester Run is cancelled due to ongoing pandemic

Organisers have confirmed the 2020 Great Manchester Run has been cancelled, due to the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was originally due to take place in May and had been postponed to 6^th September. However, despite hard work with local partners to find a way to stage the Great Manchester Run while observing social distancing rules, and most importantly, not impacting on the local NHS services, it has not been possible to find a solution.

Runners who had a place in this year’s event will be given the option to roll it over to the next Great Manchester Run, currently scheduled to take place on 23^rd May 2021, or receive a refund of their entry fee. The popular children’s event, the Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run, has also been cancelled and entrants will receive a refund for their place in this event.

Paul Foster, Chief Executive of the Great Run Company: “We haven’t taken the decision to cancel The Great Manchester Run lightly. The event raises huge amounts for charity and is an important day in Manchester’s sporting calendar.

“Over the past few months, we have worked hard to try and find a way to stage the Great Manchester Run while following government guidelines. However, as things stand, and even as the situation improves, it’s not going to be possible and so we have concluded that the best course of action is to cancel the Great Manchester Run this year”

“I’d like to thank our partners at Manchester City Council, and especially our medical teams working in the NHS across Greater Manchester for their support in trying to find a way to stage the Great Manchester Run this year.”

“Despite not being able to stage the event as planned we are exploring ways to mark the occasion and hope to be able to share our plans soon.”

Runners are being invited to run their very own #MyGreatManchesterRun and everyone who manages to complete their distance between now and the event date of 6^th Sept will be rewarded with their medal. More details will follow to all runners via email.

Many people taking on the challenge would have been doing it for charity; at this time charity donations are probably more important than ever before.

Paul Foster said “Event day is only a small part of the challenge our runners take on, they put in a huge amount of preparation and training in the weeks and months before. They should be able to celebrate that achievement, however they get there.”

“We want to thank all of our participants and partners for their continued support and understanding.”

Full information is available at greatrun.org/manchester