The adidas Manchester Marathon is gearing up for a major event, coinciding with a Premier League match. The marathon is scheduled for 19th April and will feature over 70 elite athletes. The event will also host the 2026 England Athletics English Championships.
Elite Athletes to Watch
The 2023 champion is set to return to Manchester after winning gold for Great Britain at the IAU 50km World Championships. Melissa Gibson, last year’s runner-up, will also compete. Timmins, with a qualifying time of 2:32:40 from the Zurich Seville Marathon, is also expected to be a contender.
Men’s Race Preview
The defending champion is returning after securing victory in 2025 with a time of 2:16:56. Former champion Steven Bayton, returning for the first time since his 2016 victory, will be competing. Olympic triathlete Clarke, who previously competed at the 2022 edition, will also be at the start line.
Wheelchair Race Details
Bret Crossley, the 2024 champion, is set to defend his title. Josh Hickinbottom, who secured third place at the Manchester Half Marathon 2025 with a time of 56:03, will also compete. The wheelchair race will begin at 08:55, followed by the elite men’s and women’s races at 09:00.
Prize Money and Bonuses
Prize money will remain the same across all elite categories. A £500 time bonus will be awarded to any athlete who records a finishing time of 2:16 in the men’s elite field or under 2:36 in the women’s.
How to Follow the Action
- The full elite start list is available online.
- The elite race will be live streamed.
- News of the winners will be shared after the podium finish.
- Results will be available after a short wait.
With returning champions and a competitive field, the adidas Manchester Marathon promises exciting races across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair events.