Manchester Marathon – 14th April 2024

The marathon took place on Sunday 14th April. This was my first ever attempt at a marathon and I was also raising funds for The Marina Dalglish Appeal. I had had a running vest prepared for the event with my local running group and the charity incorporated. My prep for the night before to check I had everything in place made me realised how much I would be carrying on my person!

I travelled across to Manchester with some friends and after the bag drop at Old Trafford cricket club, I grabbed a couple of pics in the kit.

My wave started at 10:20 and we headed into Manchester city centre to soak up a great atmosphere and then headed back out to Salford, around Old Trafford football ground and then continued through Stretford, Sale, Timperley and into Altrincham. The route then went back through the same places and headed through Chorlton just before the finishing line back at the cricket ground. Some pics that were caught on the route.

My main aim was to finsih the race – especially with the charity donations – but I did have an eye on getting sub 4-hours. After having a bit of a scare with 2 miles to go as the 4 hour pacer overtook me, I managed to finish in 3 hours 58 minutes and 10 seconds – delighted! The pics below are from the finish and afterwards, along with my official result and my Strava times.
Thank you all so much for your donations – at the time of writing this, I am at £2178 on JustGiving. My wife and her friend Joanne (who was the inspiration for the charity choice) have collected in the region of £330 from their workplaces. I will also be applying for a £500 matched giving donation from my employer so the final donation to The Marina Dalglish Appeal will be in the region of £3000!!! I have been blown away by people’s generosity – especially through the football comps as some of you don’t know me personally. Thank you all so much!!
If anyone still feels inspired to make a donation – the JustGiving link is here.