Event Preview: 2016 Aldi Manchester Half Marathon
The inaugural Aldi Manchester Half Marathon takes place this Sunday 16th October 2016 and is set to welcome 12,000 runners from all over the UK and abroad.
Online entries for the Aldi Manchester Half Marathon are now closed as the city is gearing up for its highly anticipated 13.1-mile race.
The organisers have however confirmed that limited places are available and anyone wishing to take part still needs to get in touch with Xtra Mile Events by calling 0161 928 6795 or emailing info@xtramileevents.com to secure their race number. Runners must collect their race number from the race pack collection point at Manchester's First Street on Saturday 15th October between 10.00 – 17.00 and pay the £40 entry fee by cash or card. Limited race numbers will also be available at First Street to runners that turn up and wish to register on Saturday.
With just 41m elevation gain and a 2 mile+ finish straight, the race will be one of the flattest and fastest half marathons, making it ideal for first time half marathon runners as well as for elite athletes hoping to achieve a PB. Some of the UK and Ireland's very best elite athletes will be at the front of the field hoping to win a share of the British and Irish only prize fund.
The race has also attracted a large number of charity runners who will be running to raise money for the three National Charity Partners, Alzheimer's Society, British Heart Foundation and Save the Children. The race's Local Charity Partners are The Christie and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH).
The AIMS accredited Aldi Manchester Half Marathon starts at White City roundabout at 9am and finishes at Emirates Old Trafford Lancashire County Cricket Club on Talbot Road, where the dedicated athlete village will be based. The athlete village will be open to athletes on race day from 07:00 to 14:00.
Organisers of the event, Xtra Mile Events, are promising plenty of entertainment and outstanding crowd support along the length of the course, which will take runners on wide, closed roads through Old Trafford, Stretford, Brooklands and Sale. The line-up of bands helping runners on their way will include local favourites The Rock Choir, Sale Brass Band and Trafford Music Jazz Collective.
All runners who entered the race after 20th September, and all international runners, will need to collect their race number from the race pack collection point at Manchester's First Street on Saturday 15th October. This marks the beginning of race weekend and is a great opportunity for runners to socialise at the city's premier leisure venue and take up some of the offers that they will have received in their virtual offers bag.
Race weekend key timings:
10.00-17.00 Race pack collection point open at First Street, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN
06.00 Car parks at MUFC open
07.00 Athletes village at Emirates Lancashire County Cricket Club opens for competitors
07.00 Charity village and spectator area opens at Trafford Town Hall
08.30 Runners make their way to the start line on White City Way
08.55 Start of Wheelchair Race
09.00 Start of Aldi Manchester Half Marathon
11.30 Prize ceremony
12.00 Last runners finish
14.00 Athletes village closes
The race booklet with all the race details and route map can be downloaded here .
Prizes will be awarded in the winning categories to UK and Ireland registered runners, and will consist of a trophy and a cash prize for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female.
In addition, organisers are offering extra time bonuses to ensure the Aldi Manchester Half Marathon hits the ground running in terms of becoming one of the fastest half marathons in the country. The first male athlete to clock under 61 minutes, 30 seconds will collect £5,000 while any female runner who crosses the line in under 70 minutes will receive the same amount. The team prize and age group prizes will be posted out after the race.
Spectators are encouraged to watch the race on the large screen at Trafford Town Hall, where there is guaranteed to be a fantastic atmosphere. The race's charity partners and sponsors will be based here, as well as the information tent.
The race is providing a team of pacers to help runners hit their target times in Manchester. The pacers will be easily identifiable with back packs and flags showing their time and they will be waiting in the relevant start pen areas. The pacing times are: 1h30m, 1h35m, 1h140m, 1h45m, 1h50m, 1h55m, 2h00m and 2h15m.
Race Director Simon Hill commented, "With just days to go until the inaugural Aldi Manchester Half Marathon, online entries are now closed and we are excited that race weekend is almost upon us. The uptake has been outstanding and we are grateful for all the support we have received from runners, the local community, our charities and our fantastic sponsors. We are looking forward to welcoming many thousands of runners and spectators to Manchester's first half marathon and wish all competitors the best of luck on race day."
Sponsors of the Aldi Manchester Half Marathon include Aldi, ASICS, INTERSPORT, HIGH5, MLP Law, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford and Trafford Council. Best Western Cresta Court Hotel is the Official Hotel Partner for the race and supporters include ERDINGER Alkoholfrei, Athlete Matters and TWJ.
A total of 12,000 places were available for the Aldi Manchester Half Marathon 2016. Online entries are now closed.
Go to www.manchesterhalfmarathon.com for further race details, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/manchesterhalfmarathon and follow @manchesterhalf #ManchesterHalf #NOWWERUN on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news.
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