Manchester Marathon 2024: A proud day for the city as thousands take part in UK's second biggest marathon
14.04.2024 - 16:19
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The Manchester Marathon has returned to the streets of the city today (April 14) as more than 32,000 people took on an incredible 26.2 mile route in aid of charities and organisations - with many dressed in colourful and creative outfits.
As in previous years, the 2024 event kicked off in Old Trafford where runners were tasked with making their way through the likes of Altrincham, Stretford, Chorlton, Hulme and the city centre before reaching the finish line back in Old Trafford.
The first person to make it through the finish line was Adam Clarke, from the Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club, with an impressive time of two hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds. Shortly behind him was Marshall Smith at 2:18:22 and Alexander Teuten at 2:18:37.
READ MORE: Next year's Manchester Marathon to take place on same day as London Marathon
Charlie Arnell was the first woman through the finish line with a time of 2:37:12. Just after crossing the line, Charlie, from Oxfordshire, revealed it was the first ever marathon she had taken part in.
“This is my first marathon,” Charlie told the M.E.N. “I’ve just heard very good things about the Manchester Marathon - it’s the second biggest marathon in the UK - so it was something I really wanted to take part in. My aim was to get under 2:40 so I'm incredibly happy!”
Amongst the sea of runners who had donned fancy dress were human caterpillars, superheroes, brightly coloured running shorts and plenty of men in tutus. Tim Wheeler, 62, was amongst those dressed up by wearing his ‘Scissorman’ costume, with a huge pair of scissors attached to his backpack.
Running the Manchester Marathon for the eighth time, Tim, a magistrate and former headteacher at Stockport Grammar School, said his