FEROCIOUS COMPETITION EXPECTED AS 2024 ELITE FIELD ANNOUNCED
In a fiercely competitive line-up, over 60 elite runners and wheelchair athletes will stake their claim to take home the 2024 Manchester Half title. The field will see a host of Team GB, England and overseas Internationals, including previous winners and first-timers battling it out for a podium finish in North West’s largest half marathon. The event will also plays host to the 2024 Half Marathon English Championships meaning all our elite athletes will be bidding for title of English Champion over the Half Distance!
Let’s take a look at some of the favourites taking part in what’s set to be a thrilling morning of elite competition!
WHEELCHAIR
The podium places in this year’s Manchester Half Elite Wheelchair are likely to be contested by Sean Frame, Brett Crossley and Matthew Clarke.
Sean comes into the event off the back of an 11th place finish in a stacked international field at the Berlin Marathon, whilst Brett and Matthew finished first and second respectively at this year’s Manchester Marathon in April. Sean holds the fastest time this year of the three with 49:38, but is followed not far behind by Brett in 54:51 and Matthew in 59:44.
Elite athlete Sean Frame says he is “feeling great” ahead of Sunday’s event.
WOMEN’S
Lucy Reid is the standout athlete from this year’s elite Female field. The PUMA athlete holds a PB of 70:29 with her fastest half marathon time this year just 1 second off that. Behind her will be a chasing pack comprising some serious talent. Four women find themselves with 2024 bests less than 30 seconds apart. Andrea Clement (74:22) and Jemima Farley (74:22) lead the way with GB international Rebecca Murray (74:47) and Eleanor Baker (74:49) close behind.
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MEN’S
Another PUMA athlete leads the way in Jack Rowe, who returns to the event for a second year to defend his course record of 1:02:40. The Team GB runner holds a 62:35 best time in 2024, making him the firm favourite for this Sunday. The battle for second and third in the Men’s Elite race could be one to watch as a competitive field is in store with Andrew Davies (66:39), Emmet Jennings (65:18), Alexander Leprêtre (64:39, 2023) and Kieran Walker (66:22) all amongst the names looking to stake a claim.
2023 MCRHalf winner Jack Rowe is a favourite for the top spot on the podium again this year.
OTHER NAMES TO WATCH
The event will also welcome amateur – turned pro elite marathoner Anya Culling who will be leading the Runna x PUMA Official Manchester Half Shakeout Run on Saturday 12th October (find out more here). Anya took her marathon time down from 4:34 in 2019 to 2:34 in 2022 and has represented England over the marathon distance.
Anya Culling will take on the event for the first time and lead the Official Shakeout Run with PUMA
TIMINGS FOR THE DAY
The first wave of the day will be the Elite Wheelchairs, setting off at 08:55, they will be closely followed by both Elite Males and Females setting off at 09:00. If you’re supporting in person you will be able to catch all the starts on our brand new ‘Kick off Cam’ located at Deansgate Interchange around 1 mile in and then be able to cheer them on as they run past 5 minutes later. All finishes will be live on our website from our livestream page.
We hope you tune in to the exhilarating elite race on the day, follow us on social media for the latest updates as they come in.