You did it!
Thousands have fun in the run
BLOOD, sweat and a few tears gave way to jubilant cheers as thousands of runners conquered the Manchester Marathon.
The annual event raised tens of thousand of pounds for charities and good causes across the country.
The 26.2-mile route - widely considered to be the flattest marathon course in the UK - started under warm sunny skies in Trafford and took in Sale, Timperley and Altrincham.
Gallant racers were cheered on with every step by thousands of spectators who lined the route to clap and cheer them along.
There were plenty in fancy dress, and one participant ran the route backwards, with the finish line outside Lancashire County Cricket Club on Talbot Road, Trafford.
Seasoned veterans target the Manchester Marathon as a chance to get a personal best because the course is so flat - and this year’s race didn’t disappoint as the fine weather led to fast times.
Stockport Harrier Patrick Martin in his first ever marathon - crossed the line first in two hours, 22 minutes and 37 seconds. He said: “It’s nice to get the first marathon out of the way.”
Georgie Bruinvels from Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club, meanwhile, was the first woman home in a time of two hours, 37 minutes and three seconds. Plenty posted their achievements on social media.
One, Jennifer Bradley, tweeted: “Thanks for a great day. I ran in 2012 and this was both a better course and better weather - organisation was spot on today, congrats!”
The first known running of a Manchester marathon was in 1908. Organised then by Salford Harriers running and athletics club, the 20-mile route started and finished at the Saracen’s Head pub in Trafford.
Back then there was no established marathon distance.
Yesterday’s race - which featured around 12,000 runners - was the 41st running of the Manchester Marathon in its current format.