Thousands unite to show defiance
TOGETHERNESS, unity and strength. Those were the overriding emotions as 40,000 runners - including more than 600 from Macclesfield - took part in the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.
Concerns that competitors might stay away from the event – which is in its 15th year – proved unfounded, with thousands more lining the streets to cheer on loved ones, friends and complete strangers, defying those that would try to divide.
All of this in the face of a profound sense of grief in the wake of last week’s terror attack at the Arena.
It is always an emotional event, with lost loved ones and good causes in the forefront of people’s minds, but this year’s event felt extra spe- cial. The event included a half marathon and 10k, with 485 Maxonians entering the 10k and another 141 taking on the half marathon.
We’ve put together a full list of the Macclesfield runners in our special ‘Race within a race’ feature so you can see how you fared. Among the quickest to cross the half marathon line were Tony Potts (01h25m38s), Patrick Walker (01h27m44s) and Andy Megarrell (01h28m59s).
And Rebecca Bedford (01h39m55s)and Amanda Bradbury (01h40m12s) were among the fastest women.
John Carr, who crossed the line in 36m05s, was among the fastest from the town to complete the 10k, along with Daniel Bundred (39m15s), Markus Dalgaard (39m26s) and Stefan Bradley (39m29s). They were closely followed by Alice Goudie (46m17s) and Annie Smeldy (46m28s).