Can you believe that the ASICS Manchester Half takes place in just 1 month time?

If you’re one of the many participants taking on the 13.1 miles with us for the first time, you may be wondering what to do between now and event day.

Luckily, we’ve put together 5 handy tips to get you to the start line in the best possible position while looking forward to the big day. Here are our best tips with 1 month to go!

1. PLAN YOUR EVENT WEEK 

A little planning now can help take the stress out of event week. Make sure you’ve planned your travel and thought about your fuelling. Check out ESN’s guide for practical advice on what to eat and drink in the lead-up to the event and on the day itself. Claim an exclusive 25% off all ESN products as a participant of ASICS Manchester Half 2026, using the code: RUNMCR26.

And why not add a visit to ASICS House Manchester into your plans? Open event week, Wednesday to Sunday 2pm-7pm at North Bar, Circle Square. It’s the perfect place to get event ready, with shakeout runs, kit personalisation, expert support, panel discussions and more.

2. PRIORITISE YOUR HEALTH

The last thing you want is to feel under the weather in the final few weeks before the Half. Your body has been working hard, so give it the care it needs as you approach event day.

Focus on getting plenty of quality sleep, nourishing your body, staying hydrated and where possible, keeping stress levels in check.  Looking after your oral health is also an important part of staying healthy as you build towards the event, particularly if you’re using gels and sports drinks as part of your training. Bupa’s Oral Health Guide for Runners has some simple tips to help protect your teeth and gums.

The final week before the event is a time to reduce your miles and stay mentally strong. If you’ve got a busy week, consider cutting back and make time for things that help you relax and take your mind off any pre-event nerves. A walk with a friend or a quiet evening focusing on downtime could be just what you need.

3. BRIEF YOUR SUPPORTERS

Your support crew can make a huge difference on event day, so get them involved in your plans and make sure they know where and when to spot you.

Our supporter guide is coming soon, packed with the best places to watch the action, tips on where to meet after you finish and recommendations for coffee and food stops along the route. Share it with your supporters and get your cheer squad ready!

4. STAY IN THE LOOP

You’ve trained with focus and attention to detail, so apply the same care to pre-event communication. Stay informed about event pack delivery, course features, bag drop, and travel options to avoid last-minute stress on event day.

Keep an eye on your inbox and the event website for updates. Remember, you can find key information in our Participant Guide and on all of our social channels.

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5. Trust your training

Your final few runs might not all feel easy and that’s okay. You may feel tired, have a session that doesn’t go to plan or start questioning whether you’re ready. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost your fitness or aren’t prepared. Trust the work you’ve put in over the past few months and try not to panic.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the start line!