The Tour returns for 2026

The beloved local running event ‘the Tour’ is back for 2026. 

Ahead of the iconic four-day challenge, which explores the best areas Tameside, Oldham and Glossop have to offer, we spoke to two Tour legends, to hear their thoughts on the annual event. 

Local runners Katie Kay and Gavin Browne have taken part on countless occasions, and both finished as runners up as recently as 2023 and 2024 respectively. 

What three words would you use to describe the Tour? 

KATIE: Fun, exciting, hard. 

GAVIN: Great community event. 

What does the Tour mean to you? 

KATIE: I love the Tour. Even though it’s competitive, and my competitive streak does come out, for me it’s all about fun.  

Community is a big part for me as well. 

It’s one of the biggest events in the running calendar, all the local runners come together, and everybody’s just happy, smiling and having fun. 

GAVIN: I’ve grown up watching it as a young lad, and I was just inspired from that, it’s something I always wanted to do. 

Obviously, the format’s a bit different now, there’s just the four races, but it’s still a really tough and iconic event. 

Being a part of it is amazing, especially with me being local, I live in Stalybridge so one of the races is about 200m from my house! 

Which is your favourite race of the four Tour races and why? 

KATIE: I enjoy them all apart from the half marathon! But that’s genuinely because I’m just so tired from the two days before. 

I love all the other races, but if I had to choose one, I’d probably say the Hyde 7. 

Nothing beats that, coming down Market Street. It’s just littered with thousands of supporters, everyone’s screaming your name, and it’s just a really nice feeling to cross that line knowing you’ve done four days of really hard work. It has a special place in my heart. 

GAVIN: My personal favourite is the hell on the fell. It’s a really tough climb, but I’ve grown up running on those kind of routes, and it’s just a really iconic race. 

Why should people sign up to the Tour? 

KATIE: Because it is hard, it’s challenging, and it’s always great to set yourself a challenge, but it’s fun as well. 

It’s also a real opportunity to just connect with new people. 

GAVIN: It’s just a great local event, it’s something that anyone can get involved in. You don’t have to be a club runner, there’s plenty of people who just turn up and enjoy it. 

It’s that element of challenge as well, you want to try and push yourself to the limit. 

You get a medal for each stage, and that camaraderie at Hyde Town Hall at the end of the event is absolutely amazing - I’d encourage anyone to take part. 

Will you be taking part in the Tour 2026? 

KATIE: Absolutely. I didn’t do the full Tour last year because I was not in a good place after the London Marathon, but this year I’ve committed to doing the full thing. 

I did two races last year, and had massive FOMO. It was great being there and supporting but I really wanted to be on that start line, so I’ll definitely be there in 2026. 

GAVIN: I’m hoping to. I have got a few races planned later in the year, I’m doing the Berlin Marathon which is quite exciting, so I’ll be training for that. 

But if I’m fit and able to, I’ll definitely be on that start line! 

Tickets for next year’s Tour - which takes place in June - are still available but are selling fast. To secure your place, visit: https://notreallyheremedia.niftyentries.com/The-Tour-2026