Thousands turn out for Manchester Marathon

Around 12,500 runners took to the streets of Salford and neighboring villages today for the Greater Manchester Marathon. With the sun shinning thousands more gathered along the route to cheer the runners on.

The 26 mile course started and finished in Trafford but wound it’s way through Stretford, Urmston, Sale and Altrincham. The race itself was won in 2 hours 22 minutes and 37 seconds by Patrick Martin – a schoolteacher from Stockport who was running in his maiden marathon

In the women’s race Georgie Bruinvels took the top spot with a personal best of 2 hours 37 minutes and 03 seconds. The course is considered as the flattest, fastest and friendliest Marathon in the UK with competitors coming from all other the world to try and beat their personal bests. In fact the race is fast becoming a key event on the UK marathon calendar with a strong British and Irish elite field taking part.

But it wasn’t just about beating personal records; it’s thought that close to 5 million pounds have been raised by runners this year. The Christie charity and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity are the Official Local Charity Partners for the this year's race.