The Manchester 10k: This is our city!

The Manchester 10k: This is our city!

The Bupa Manchester 10k

Perspective was everything yesterday.  I missed out on a PB in the Manchester 10k by nearly four minutes.  On any other day, I would have been disappointed.  Not yesterday.  Yesterday was about more than just personal best times and running.  Yesterday was about Manchester.  Yesterday was about charity.  Yesterday was about giving something back to this great city.

The Spirit of Manchester

A lot has been said of the spirit of Manchester since last Monday’s atrocities at Manchester Arena.  An attack which took the lives of 22 innocent people who were out watching Ariana Grande has brought Manchester’s residents closer together.  Grief has been felt by a whole city but most poignantly by those directly affected by Monday night.  Movingly, many runners wore the names of the 22 on their backs as they ran, others had the Manchester Bee printed on their vests as a show of solidarity.   Each and every runner knew the significance of the event they were taking part in.

Manchester’s spirit was palpable yesterday as 40,000 took to the streets of Manchester for the Great Manchester 10k and Half Marathon.  There were initial fears that these events would not go ahead but with the persistence and determination of Greater Manchester Police, the race organisers and Manchester’s council leader, they did.  Forty thousand people took part this year.  Let that sink in…

After an emotional minute silence and a rousing poem from Tony Walsh, famous for his message that Manchester is a city brought together by love, the crowds set off on their journey.

Do something to get your heartbeat pounding.

The Manchester 10k Route

The 10k route took in a number of Manchester’s greatest landmarks including Old Trafford, the home to FA Cup winners, Manchester United.  The support around the whole route was phenomenal, as hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer on throngs of eager runners.  Musicians, bands and even a choir provided the runners with entertainment at various landmarks around the course.  In the last kilometre, the noise was captivating, the crowd willing each runner towards the finish where stewards congratulated each and every finisher before handing out well-earned race bags, finisher’s medals and t-shirts.

The simple act of running through streets so alive with emotion was overwhelming.  So many runners chose to wear shirts commemorating and supporting the victims of Monday night’s attack.

If one thing should come of this week it is that Manchester can be proud of the way it has responded in the bleakest of circumstances.  Yesterday’s event embodied the united spirit of this city.  Strangers from the crowd shouted the names of passing runners printed on the back of each vest.  Runners helped and encouraged one another throughout the race.  I even heard a tale of one man being assisted over the finish by fellow racers after looking wobbly in the last kilometre.  Nobody will be left behind.

Remembering the 22

After the run I took a short detour on my way back to Piccadilly Gardens to take in the hundreds of flowers laid in St Anne’s Square.  Many in the square prayed.  As much of the city was alive with noise, St Anne’s Square was respectfully quiet.  Those who lost their lives on Monday night will never be forgotten.  The city of Manchester is grieving but the spirit of this city will never be broken.

 

Do something.  The Great Manchester Run.

 

I ran this year’s Manchester 10k for Tommy’s Charity; a charity set up to help those who suffer the loss of a child through miscarriage and stillbirth.  Our team would really appreciate donations of any amount.  Tommy’s Charity really does make a difference to the lives of families across the nation.

 

http://m.virginmoneygiving.com/mt/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=Runner-Beanz&faId=796445&isTeam=true

7 thoughts on “The Manchester 10k: This is our city!

  1. Well done for running the 10K for such a worthy charity! It must have been moving to see all the flowers left for the victims of the awful bombing too 🙁

  2. Congratulations on doing the 10k, and well done for doing it at such an emotional time for the city and all for such a great cause. Be proud!

  3. So what that you missed out on a new PB by 4 minutes! You just ran the Manchester 10k for a very worthy cause, at a time when I’m sure plenty of people (maybe even yourself…) didn’t really have the heart to run following the devastating attack. You should be proud of yourself! x

  4. Amazing for the 10k run, that is truly amazing! Such a great charity too, you should be really proud of yourself 🙂

  5. well done for running in the race in what has been a devestating time for Manchester.

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