Runners unite with Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford at race launch

10 Mar 2017

Staff and students tell their inspiring running stories at official launch of the Great Manchester Run

Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford was in the city to launch the Great Manchester Run – and he was joined by some of our own #PurpleWave runners.

This year is the fifteenth anniversary of the race and it’s one of the city’s most popular sports participation events, taking place on Sunday 28 May.  

Daniel Taylor, a Learning Development Advisor from Staff Learning and Development, is running for the second time, this time raising funds for the Christie Hospital.  Daniel has epilepsy and gained weight through medication, and he ran last year following advice to start running through an NHS app Couch Potato to 5k.  He’s hoping to beat his time last year and would like to complete a half marathon in the future.

Daniel said: “I would say to anyone still thinking of entering that it’s a huge motivation on the day of the race, walking down to the start line with all the other #PurpleWave runners.  It’s a great atmosphere, and makes you proud to be part of the University.”

Master’s student Imogen Bee added: “I find that running has helped me in my recovery from a fractured spine, by giving me something to focus on other than my studies.  Training is hard, you have to listen to how your body feels, but it really helps by having a positive impact on your physical and mental health.”

The official launch was attended by local media and runners representing fifteen years of the race.  Politics and philosophy student Jesse Coleman, who ran the race last year with a fridge on his back and is doing this year’s race blindfolded, featured on ITV Granada Reports. 

Olympic Gold medallist Greg Rutherford was clearly enjoying his time in Manchester, saying: “There’s such a rich history of sport here in the city, and athletes love coming to Manchester for competitive events, there’s always a lot of support and we love the crowd getting behind us.”

And he had some words of motivation too for those taking part: “Nobody’s trying to be an Olympian, but the sense of satisfaction by getting fit and active is an achievement.  I take my hat off to all the runners and who knows, maybe when I’ve retired I’ll come back and take part!”

Discounted places are still available and the deadline is 4 April.  There’s lots of support available, whether it’s joining a University running group or training plans for you to download.  

Pictured: (L-R) Running Group Leader Helen Leah, students Jesse Coleman and Thomas Pitchford, Gail Heathcote-Milner as Barnabee, Greg Rutherford, Michelle Bebbington, student Imogen Bee, Daniel Taylor.