A strong line up of Paralympians, Commonwealth Games medallists and returning champions will take to the start line at the ASICS Manchester Half this Sunday. Last year saw three elite course records fall, setting a new benchmark for this year’s athletes to chase.

The elite fields will lead the way from the start in Trafford close to Manchester United Football Club, before the course heads through Stretford, Sale and Chorlton-cum-Hardy to the finish on Talbot Road. Audiences can catch all the elite action live here, with renowned athletics commentator Geoff Wightman bringing the race to life as the athletes battle it out for the titles.

The event will once again double up as the England Athletics Half Marathon Championships, adding another layer of competition for the English athletes on the start line.

Elite Wheelchair Men

The men’s Elite Wheelchair race is set to be highly competitive, with defending champion Sean Frame returning after setting the current course record of 48:24 at last year’s event. He’ll face Paralympic silver medallist Nathan Maguire, who claimed his second Commonwealth Games gold medal in the T54 1500m at Glasgow 2026 and will be looking to carry that form into Manchester.

 

Commonwealth Games marathon champion and Paralympian Johnboy Smith will also be among the contenders for the title, alongside 2024 champion Bret Crossley and 2025 runner-up Joshua Hartley.

Elite Wheelchair Women

In the women’s Elite Wheelchair field, Catriona Johnston arrives in Manchester following her second-place finish at this year’s Paris Marathon. She’ll be joined by Roz Delap and Abi Hession as they take on the fast course.

Elite Men

The men’s elite field is set to deliver an exciting performance, with a strong mix of returning favourites and international talent, with 2024 runner-up Jacob Allen back on the start line after his 62:43 performance at last year’s event. Finland’s Tuomas Heikkilä and Irish Olympian Stephen Scullion will be among those challenging at the front, with George Wheeler also lining up alongside Omar Ahmed, who arrives after an impressive 28:27 10K earlier this year.

Elite Women

The talented women’s field features Heather Townsend who returns after finishing second at the 2025 Manchester Half, having since claimed another runner-up finish at this year’s Manchester Marathon. She’ll be joined by 2:31 marathon runner Molly Smith, who will be among those in contention for the top spot, while Verity Hopkins and Rebecca Weston are also set to compete after their standout performances representing England at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon this August.

How to watch

The wheelchair race will begin at 08:55 on Sunday 4th October, followed by the men’s and the women’s elite start at 09:00.

The full elite start list is available here, with live coverage of the elite races available via the event live stream here. Official results will be published shortly after the finish here.