The line-up of elite athletes for this year’s Great Manchester Run is made up of Olympic gold medallists, European champions, past winners and current champions.
Selemon Barega headlines this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run and returns as the reigning men’s elite 10km champion following his 2025 victory in 27:49. Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe, runner-up in 2025, is hoping to win this year, while 2024 winner Vincent Ngetich of Kenya will also feature in a star-studded line-up. Britain’s hopes rest with former champion Mark Scott, along with two-time Olympian Andy Butchart.
Barega said: “I’m looking forward to returning to defend my title at the Great Manchester Run. I really enjoyed the race last year, the competition looks strong again, so I know I have to be at my best to be on the top of the podium.”
The women’s elite 10km gets just as exciting as Northern Grand Champion Sheila Chepkiru of Kenya takes on reigning Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi, US half marathon record holder Wayne Kelati and 2022 European 5000m champion Konstanz. Great Britain’s Verity Ockenden, Lily Partridge, Clara Evans and Jess Piasecki will battle it out for home honors and a place on the podium.
“After winning the Great North Run last year I was hoping that we would be able to put Manchester on my schedule for 2026 as I have heard so many good things about this race. I’m looking forward to testing myself against some of the best in the world and I hope to bring my good form to this race this year.”
Last fall, the organizers of the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run and the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut (USA) announced the “twinning” of the two elite athletes’ programs. The top Americans competing in the 2025 race will be Morgan Biddlescomb and Wayne Kelati. The first British elite athletes to complete the Greater Manchester Run, both will be invited to race in Connecticut in November.
Elite wheelchair racing will see a clash of the titans as six-time Manchester Running Champion David Weir returns to defend his title once again. He faces 2025 Great North winner Sean Frame and Paralympic relay silver medalist Nathan Maguire. Two-time Paralympian and two-time 2025 World Para Championships bronze medalist Melanie Woods leads the women’s field.
Sir Brendan Foster, Chairman of The Great Run Company said: “Each year we are proud to welcome some of the world’s best athletes to the Greater Manchester Run. With the city so steeped in sporting history, it’s no surprise that the world’s best athletes return to the streets of Manchester to compete and experience an unbeatable atmosphere and always watch. for a sprint finish, so it’ll be a great watch whether you’re here in person or at home.
The elite runners will be followed by 38,000 participants covering the 10km and half marathon distances in what forms the biggest Manchester running weekend to date.
Starting on Portland Street, the route passes some of Manchester’s most famous landmarks, including Old Trafford, the Etihad, the Imperial War Museum and Salford Quays, before finishing at Deansgate Stands. More than 100,000 spectators will continue to line the streets to support the action, which will also be broadcast live on BBC Two from 11am to 1pm.
