Runners tell the world Manchester is not broken
BRENDAN FOSTER United, we ran our streets for the 22 victims
WHEN I first heard about the bombing and began to absorb the full horror, I admit my next thought was that we should call off the run.
This city has been ripped apart, its people are hurting, the police and doctors and civic authorities are stretched beyond belief, how can we carry on with a fun run? How can anyone think the pursuit of pleasure and enjoyment is an appropriate response to one of the worst terrorist attacks in our country?
But the response of Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, was immediate, calm and measured. He said: “It will be a case of how we can do it, not if we can do it”. And of course he was right.
We know that for the people who have lost loved ones, or whose relatives are still fighting for their lives, their worlds will never be the same again. But ours has to be. We must carry on. Show who we are. Sport is a force for good. Terrorism a force for evil.
Had we not staged the run yesterday we would be letting the terrorists win by stopping us living the lives we lead and doing the things we love.
By running we win. By running all of you win. All of you send a message to the world. Just as London was not broken by the 7/7 bombing. So Manchester will not be broken. Manchester ran. And by running Manchester won – again. MOVING Spectators hug in minute’s silence SOLIDARITY David Wyeth and Matthew Rees
BRIT SPIES HAD KILLER ON TERROR WATCHLIST: PAGES 6&7 SO MOVING Runners look at tributes to dead SPIRIT Laura gets ready at start DESPITE being an enthusiastic participant in runs across the north, I’d never done this one.
Running through my own city would have been special anyway.
But this week it meant the world to Mancunian runners to take part in Europe’s largest 10k.
The atmosphere at the start was undoubtedly different: determined, thoughtful and upbeat.
As we waited on Portland Street, almost every runner had tributes scrawled on running numbers.
The minute’s silence was broken by another recital from poet Tony Walsh following Tuesday’s vigil.
“We need to hate less,” he said, reading from Do Something.
“Do something to show them what you’re made of, Do something you’ve never done before, Do something to beat what you’re afraid of, Do something to make your spirit soar... Do something, the Great Manchester Run,” he bellowed.
Bands belted out tunes from Manc favourites, The Smiths, Oasis and the Courteeners, while a good 20,000 spectators held We Love Manchester signs and tributes.
With 200 metres to go, I saw a sign of the city’s camaraderie as two young male runners helped an older woman to cross the line.
Manchester’s spirit has never been more alive as crowds cheered us on. There’s no fear here.