Junior and Mini Manchester Event guide
Saturday 30 May
Event Guide 2026
It’s finally here!
The big day is almost here, and we want to answer your event day questions so you can focus on enjoying your run and soaking up the atmosphere. Any information you might need before the big day is included in this guide. Up to date event information can also be found on the website here .
To follow all the action as it happens on social media use #GreatManchesterRun
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@great_run
GreatRunTV
@GreatManchesterRun
Contents
4 - 5
Key info
6 - 10
At the start
11
On the course
12 - 13
At the finish
14 - 15
Maps
16
Recycling
19
Tips & advice
4
It’s SUPER Saturday, and we’re inviting our enthusiastic runners to come in superhero fancy dress on the day! We’re thinking capes, eye masks and something else to showcase your own power. Our junior runners can also expect chip timing and race results for our future running stars to track their progress.
There’ll also be exciting race starters and special guests joining us at Manchester Regional Arena, including some famous faces from the hit show Gladiators!
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5
08.00
Site open to the public & information point open
08.30
Junior assembly open
08.50
Junior warm up
09.00
AJ Bell Junior Great Manchester Run red wave and blue wave START
09.35
Mascot dash
09.45
Mini purple wave assembly open
09.55
Mini purple wave warm up
10.05
AJ Bell Mini Great Manchester Run purple wave START
10.40
Mini green wave assembly open
10.50
Mini green wave warm up
11.00
AJ Bell Mini Great Manchester Run green wave START
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6
The Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run starts and finishes in Manchester Regional Arena, Etihad Campus, Manchester, M11 3FF. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to assemble and take part in the warmup (see timetable).
Please note: There is only 1 entry point into the arena – please use the access map and signage to ensure you head to the correct entry point.
As part of the venue safety guidelines, security bag checks will be in place at the entrance to the arena.
To ensure quick entry, please avoid bringing bags if possible. Only small bags (e.g handbag, small backpack) are permitted.
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Our top tip : Where possible, make use of the public transport options available on the day and leave plenty of time to get to the start line. Bus routes : The Bee Network runs several buses from around Manchester to the Etihad Campus. For details and to plan your journey visit here . MetroLink : If arriving via MetroLink – head for the Etihad Campus stop. Once leaving the Metrolink you will join the City Link walkway and access the arena via the gate. Car parking : If arriving by car, you will be able to access the Blue Car Park from Alan Turing Way. From here follow the signage for access from the car park into the arena – you must use the City Link walkway to access the arena via the gate on Rowsley St.
See access map below.
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Public Car Parking Blue Car Park
Access to Blue Car Park
Walking route to arena entrance
Co-op Live
BAG CHECK Be prepared as bags will be checked before entry
Etihad Campus Metro Link
City Link Walkway
National Squash Centre
START & FINISH
Manchester Regional Arena
No Access to Arena
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9
Once your run pack has arrived through the post (approximately 3 weeks before the event), you’ll have everything you need - you do not need to visit the information point on event day to register. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached if you are a junior runner) to the front of your t-shirt or running top with safety pins and you’re all set! Your arrival time will be detailed on your run number along with your wave colour and start time.
All accompanying adults attending the event must wear their ‘accompanying adult bib’.
Please note, if you opted out of receiving a t-shirt when you signed up to the event, you will not receive one.
If your pack has not arrived, or you entered after 20 May , you will need to visit the information point on event day.
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10
This Information Point will be in Manchester Regional Arena and open from 08:00 on event day, look out for the AJ Bell branded marquee.
There will be no changing or baggage facilities provided on the day. Please arrive ready to go and carry minimal belongings where possible.
Toilets will be available behind the West stand of the arena – these will be signposted. Toilet facilities will be busy before the run so please allow plenty of time.
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Distances: Mini distance (3-8yrs): 1.6km Junior distance (9-15yrs): 2.5km
Mini runners must be accompanied by an adult around the course, wearing their accompanying adult bib.
Don’t forget to soak up the atmosphere out on the course - with a tunes truck and a live band along the route to keep you moving!
Junior runners will be timed and will be able to check their finish time on the website here shortly after the event.
Don’t forget to smile as you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer on the course! Your official event photos will be available to view on the website here after the event. Register here to be notified as soon as your photos are available.
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12
Junior and Mini runners will receive their well-deserved medal, bottle of water and snacks at the finish. Once you have collected your goodies, please carry on through into the event village. Please note finisher bags are for the Junior & Mini Runners only.
There will also be water available for accompanying adults taking part in the Mini event.
A missing person point is located within the arena next to the info point. If you come across a missing person, please contact the nearest event steward or official..
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13
The event village is located on the grassed area inside the track of Manchester Regional Arena.
Be sure to visit after your run – it’s the perfect place to soak up the race-day atmosphere with plenty going on for the whole family.
You’ll find our Family Reunion Area, making it easy to meet up with supporters, as well as activities and entertainment from local partners, helping to bring extra energy and entertainment to the day.
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Entrance point
National Squash Centre
Manchester Regional Arena
Access route to toilets
Assembly Area
START & FINISH
Presentations
Come Try It activities area
No Access to Arena
Information Point
Toilets
Missing Persons
Finishers’ Medals
Etihad Stadium
Shoe Drop-o
Meeting Point
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15
Co-op Live
Etihad Campus Metro Link
National Squash Centre
START & FINISH
Manchester Regional Arena
David Silva Statue
Etihad Stadium
Vincent Company Statue
Sergio Aguero Statue
Nexen Bridge
MINI ROUTE (1.6K)
JUNIOR ROUTE (2.5K)
On Course Music
Tunes Truck
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16
We are constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and have made a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event. We work with local partners to remove waste from the Great Run event site. This isn’t just limited to plastic but includes cardboard, wooden pallets, medals and signage. We’re asking you to help us out and please use the recycling bins on site to discard of any waste accordingly. In case you were wondering, we also reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled.
If you have shoes you no longer wear but are still in good condition, bring them to our Shoe Recycling Point, located next to the Information Point in the West Stand. We welcome all types of shoes that still have life in them. Instead of ending up in landfill, your donated shoes will go to a local charity. This year, all shoes will be collected by the British Heart Foundation to help raise vital funds for their life-saving work.
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If you haven’t already, make sure you set up your fundraising page on Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. Personalise your page with an image, your story and share to friends and family who can donate to your chosen charity. Now is the perfect time to get started on your fundraising journey or have a last push to raise some money for your chosen cause ahead of the big day.
Click here to start fundraising
Make race day even more special with our Junior and Mini merchandise - perfect for celebrating their achievement and remembering the day.
Grab yours online here !
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Make your run event more memorable with a personalised iTAB medal attachment!
This memento is personalised with your name and finishing time to celebrate your achievement and hold onto those memories even longer!
Click here to pre-order yours today!
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19
Stay warm - You can bring warm clothes to wear and ask your parent or guardian to look after them while you run.
Protect your skin - Use weather-resistant suncream if it’s sunny on the day, but not too much – you don’t want it running into your eyes as you sweat.
Rehydrate - Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the finish line.
HAVE A HAPPY & HEALTHY RUN Make sure you are healthy enough to take part in your run. Don’t run if you are feeling unwell or have been ill recently. Don’t be tempted to start just because you have collected sponsorship to raise money for charity.
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GIVE IT SOME NORTHERN BOTTLE
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