The organisers of the 2017 ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, Xtra Mile Events, have confirmed that all runners entering the race after 13th March, and all international runners, should collect their race number from the central operations race collection point in First Street on Friday 31st March or Saturday 1st April.
The race collection point will be open on Friday 31st March between 4pm-8pm and on Saturday 1st April between 9am-4pm.
Saturday will also see the presence of ASICS with their Pace your Race service, where runners can pick up their free personalised pace band which will help them achieve their personal goals at the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon. Runners Need and SiS will be retailing, and runners will be able to purchase exclusive ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon merchandising.
It has also been confirmed that Dr Ron Hill MBE will be doing an exclusive book signing of the book he co-wrote with Neil Shuttleworth called “Manchester Marathons 1908 – 2002”, which traces the history of the various marathon races held over nearly a century in or around Manchester. Please check the race’s website and social media channels for further details regarding this.
The ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon takes place on Sunday 2nd April and is looking forward to welcoming 15,000 runners from all over the UK and abroad. Renowned for being one of the flattest and fastest marathons, with real potential to run a PB, the race is hugely popular with elite runners as well as with first-time marathoners and charity runners.
With the race collection point located in First Street, the two days leading up to the race promise to be a great opportunity to mingle with other runners, soak up the pre-race atmosphere and enjoy the host of food and drink experiences that this vibrant quarter of the city has to offer.
First Street’s anchor tenant and cultural arts venue HOME showcases cinema, art and theatre performances, including ¡Viva! Festival, a celebration of film, theatre and visual art from across the Spanish-speaking world. This, combined with Manchester marathon’s sporting activities, is set to create a festival atmosphere at First Street.
Marathon runners will also have the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep both before and after the event at First Street’s hotel accommodation, INNSIDE Manchester, an Official Hotel Partner for the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon. With 208 bedrooms, a Wellness Centre, gym and restaurant, INNSIDE Manchester offers ideal accommodation for athletes, less than three miles from the race village. First Street’s multi-storey car park also ensures that there’s easy access to the hotel and everything First Street has to offer.
Xtra Mile Events have confirmed that it is not too late to sign up for the 2017 ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, including for the 2-leg relay and 4-leg relay team challenge which both offer the chance to experience the big marathon atmosphere as a team effort. Anyone still wishing to be a part of one of Manchester’s greatest sporting events is encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their place on the start line.
Race Director Simon Hill commented, “With just a couple of weeks to go until the 2017 ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, the city is getting ready for race weekend and excitement is brewing. We are looking forward to welcoming runners to First Street on the Friday and Saturday pre-race, where they can pick up their race packs and make the most of the fantastic shops and facilities in the area. It will be a fitting start to what is set to be an action-packed weekend. We would like to thank everyone who has signed up to the event so far and remind people that there are still some spaces left for anyone still wishing to run. The race is brilliant for all levels of runner and the spectator support is phenomenal. We are looking forward to delivering a first-class race and to starting the weekend in style at First Street.”
For more information on Greater Manchester Marathon click here.