This weekend sees the 2026 AJ Bell Great Manchester Run take to the streets of Manchester, with the best of British running talent also competing in the UK Athletics 10K Road Championships.

With this year’s elite line-up including Olympic gold medallists, European champions, past winners and a defending champion, the event gives British athletes the platform to compete alongside a world class field.

Competing on Sunday will be current UK Athletics 10 Mile Road Champions Marc Scott (Richmond & Zetland Harriers) and Verity Ockenden (Swansea Harriers), who helped kick start the weekend’s running festivities at the Great Manchester Run media event held at the Manchester Regional Arena.

Verity, who ran the course for the first time in 2025 said of her hopes for the race;

“I’ve come from a really great block of training, which I would love to say will give me a pb, but obviously it always depends on the conditions on the day. So I’ll just give it my best and we’ll see”

“I always love coming to Manchester. It’s always such a great welcome. The crowds on the streets are just incredible. They really keep you going the whole way round, which is a long way. I had a really brilliant time last year. Managed to have a great first 5k of the race, the second half i struggled a little bit. I was still really happy with it but I’m back this year to see if I can have a little bit of a better crack at it this time around.”

Speaking of the British field she will be lining up with;

“One of the best things I think about this year’s race is that it’s incorporating the British Championships,  so I know there’s going to be a lot of really strong British runners. We should have a good pack, which means we’ll work well together and hopefully help each other to some good performances. We’ve got Lily Partridge and Clara Evans, both of whom are incredible British marathon runners. Definitely they’re going to have the endurance to go the distance and we’ll just see if I can keep up with them. I personally would love to come away with a British medal.”

Mark, a past Great Manchester Run Champion said;

“I’ve had good success here in Manchester. It’s got a good course to run quick as well, which also helps bring some good elites. I managed to take the win in 2021 and I was a runner up in 2023. I’m feeling good. The shape’s in a good place, so I’m looking forward to Sunday.”

“I think any race you go to, if you know the course, the little ups and downs, twists and turns, I think that does help. And for those that don’t know, Manchester is a good course to run quick. It’s relatively flat so you get the out and back on the dual carriageway, nice open wide roads help as well.”

On the field he added:

“There’s Morgan Beadlescomb, there’s Selemon Brega here, defending champion. You’ve got Iliass Aouani as well from Italy, so there’s a good international field. Then along with the Brits, myself and Andy Butchart, you’ve got Mahamed Mahamed.  It’s good domestic field as well which will really help the race.”

Watch the action live on BBC TWO from 11am to 1pm or the finish line live stream broadcast on GreatRunTV on Youtube across the full event, capturing the first runner to the last.