My First Manchester Marathon – An Unforgettable Day

I’m finally getting round to sitting down and reflecting on what was one of the most incredible experiences of my life running my first marathon in my home city of Manchester.

Of all the fitness events, competitions, and challenges I’ve done over the years, this one is right up there. Maybe even the highlight. Not because of a finish time, a medal, or a place—but because of everything that happened before, during, and after those 26.2 miles.

If you don’t fancy reading to the end the key bits are

I ran the whole 26.2 miles in 4hrs 43 mins

I felt great after.

Fainted on the tram home. 

My full run down is below

The atmosphere

The atmosphere… wow. It was incredible.

From the moment I stepped onto the tram at Navigation heading toward the start line there was a buzz. The number of people turning up to run and to support the runners were in their 1000s. As a result the support around the whole course was like nothing I’d ever experienced. 

The weather, whilst beautiful, wasn't the best for running a marathon. A hot day changing the run experience and need for hydration and nutrition.

The residents of Manchester along the route were out in full force especially around Timperley, Altrincham and Sale really outdid themselves as they came out with their hosepipes cooling runners down, had their kids handing out water, jelly babies, haribo etc and people calling your name and clapping like you were winning the Olympic gold.

Another great part for me were the signs. 

Some of my favourites were:

“Don’t trust the fart”

“Run like your ex is chasing you”

“I’ve trained months to hold this sign”

“The Kenyans are already in the pub 2 drinks in”

Manchester absolutely delivered (as it always does).

The Build-Up – Progress, Setbacks, and Stubbornness

In the months leading up to the marathon, I was in great shape. Running was going really well, I was also prepping for a photoshoot, so I was dropping weight, which made running feel lighter and smoother. 

Amazing that, drop unneeded bodyfat and running gets easier. 

Being in a calorie deficit was not ideal for fueling but I didn’t want to put off either goal for another year so it was what it was.

In my training for the marathon I hit PBs in my 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances, and for the first time in years, my calves weren’t giving me trouble. Previously my calves kept pulling and stopping me from pushing my training as I would have liked.

Then came the Heaton Park loop run on March 22nd, an event I’d done the year before, but this time the goal was 32K. I had done 25k the week before which was a good run. The format for the Heaton loop is 5K laps around heaton park, you have 8 hours to do as many laps as you can and so it is up to you what distance you go for.

The first 15K felt amazing, but then at 15.5K, I felt a twinge in my right calf, the same as I had felt previously. I knew I could still run through it but it would be uncomfortable.

Luckily it passed quickly and I was able to run another 10k pain free but at 26K it hit me hard making my right leg feel “heavy”. Luckily I am stubborn and having experienced this before I knew I could still run, I just needed to slow the pace and change the gait a little. 

This meant I was still able to complete the run and therefore complete my first ever 20 miler.

It was a bitter sweet feeling as I was so happy to complete my first 20 miles but with only 5 weeks till the Manchester Marathon I knew I needed to give it some time and TLC.

I did just that and 10 days later the pain had gone and the calves were feeling good. So I tried a gentle jog, sadly it was too early and at 3k I felt the discomfort again. 

I didn’t run a step until marathon day after that instead I just  focused on cardio in the gym and diligent rehab. It meant missing my last long run and my taper, but I turned up on that start line, which can arguably be the biggest battle for a marathon.

The Marathon itself

Due to road closures and not wanting any extra stress on the day I stayed at my Auntie’s house the night before in Broadheath. 

This allowed me to rest up, walk to Navigation tram stop (10 minute walk) with my coffee and some good music.

I only slept a few hours due to excitement I think. Not ideal but as someone who regularly sleeps 5-6 hours per night I was used to it.

The tram ride to the start at Wharfside had a special energy. You could feel the nerves, excitement, and quiet determination of everyone around you. Then came the great Manchester Marathon tradition: the toilet queues.

Once the race began, everything else faded. It was just me, the road, the crowd, and the energy.

Seeing so many people on the start line of all shapes and sizes, some running for charity, some running for their own personal challenge was inspiring.

When the run started it was very congested so I just found a comfortable pace and took it all in. The temptation was to run faster and get away from some of the congestion but with the heat, my first marathon that could have ruined the rest of the race for me and so sticking to a sensible pace and even a little slower at the start made sense.

At mile 4 everything was feeling great and I was feeling very settled.

I saw Becki—my number one supporter—and that gave me the first of many boosts. When we were planning out where Becki would see me we MASSIVELY UNDERESTIMATED how busy the trams were going to be for supporters.

So our initial plan out the window we had a chat on the phone and came up with a new plan.

Next was running down Chester, Washway and Manchester road towards Park road (a route I had driven many times over the years) and the next stop to see Becki.

Due to how busy it was Becki had only managed to get to Park road just 5 minutes before I got there. 

What was most important to me was that Becki was able to get to Altrincham as this was the half way point and I was going to be getting a bottle of Lucozade sport and some homemade Biscoff Flapjacks.

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The thought of these had helped through the first half and were going to help with fuelling in the second half of the run.

Up to this halfway mark I was feeling good, the weather wasn’t impacting me too much and my pacing was where I wanted it. However at around mile 15 my right leg started to feel heavy especially around the calf and outside of my right lower leg. My pace dropped a little as a result but I knew that was likely. 

Still, the crowd kept me going. Every name shouted, every sign they held up every “Come on, you’ve got this!” mattered more than people will ever know.

The Tough Miles

From Dane Road, around the 19-mile mark, Becki appeared again with her mum Lorraine— This was the first point where I was struggling a little so I slowed my pace looking for Becki to ensure I didn’t miss her. Honestly, seeing them gave me another life. 

From 23 miles things got tougher. My right leg grew heavier, and the heat was starting to take its toll. Cramp threatened in my calf, foot, and hamstring. The sun was relentless and there was alot of  runners collapsed at the side of the road, being helped by paramedics.

Alot of people had also adopted a run walk strategy by this point.

Mentally, this was the hardest bit. So many people were run-walking or walking, and it was tempting—so tempting—to join them. I honestly think I might have been quicker overall if I had.

But my only goal was to run the entire thing.

And I did.

Thanks to the crowd. Thanks to sheer stubbornness. And thanks to Becki and Lorraine who somehow managed to navigate the tram system like pros to cheer me on at multiple points.

The Final Push

At 24 miles I realised I had another 25-30 minutes of running still to go. That hit me hard.

But when you hit that final stretch... wow.

The noise. The boards being banged. Strangers screaming your name. That’s what got me to the finish.

I crossed the line. I’d done it. My first marathon, fully run, in the heat.

I didn’t set a time I wanted as it was my first marathon. I just wanted to enjoy and fully immerse myself in the experience with the goal of completing it and running every step. 

I did expect that I would come in around 4hrs 30 - 4 hrs 45. My final time was 4hrs 43 so I was really happy with this.

The Aftermath – Tram Drama and The Starving man

After the race, we stopped for a celebratory pint at the Grosvenor and a frappuccino at Starbucks. I was buzzing, tired, but feeling proud. 

As we were walking around Manchester cramp hit me hard in each Quad which made for an interesting walk. Luckily others were in a similar boat so I didn’t stand out too much.

We had dinner booked at Jardin in Altrincham for 6pm. All the meats and the buffet were just calling my name. A big tasty meal, well earned and deserved I think.

As we waited at the tram stop that was all I could think about, how tasty the food was going to be. It was packed on the tram stop so when we finally got on, Becki and Lorraine got seats. I insisted I was fine and let others sit down despite Becki telling me to take a seat.

A mistake.

About two stops in, I started to feel sick. I hate the word overwhelming as I feel it is over used HOWEVER this was an overwhelming sense of sickness.  I planned to get off at Cornbrook quietly, I couldn’t talk so didn’t even plan to say anything to Becki or Lorraine.

Too late though, the next thing I knew, I was being woken up by Metrolink staff with 5 faces standing over me.

I’d fainted.

Apparently, it was a drop in blood pressure. First time it’s ever happened to me but I know the signs for next time so I can safely take a seat.

Thankfully, two retired GPs happened to be on the platform at Cornbrook and helped me on the platform—lifting my legs, checking my pulse, getting me something to eat and drink. Absolute legends.

I felt two things in that moment: concern for Becki, who was clearly worried sick, and embarrassment. I pride myself on being fit and capable, so fainting (even though it's totally normal after a marathon like that in the heat and clearly underfuelling and hydrating) just didn’t sit right with me.

Needless to say, Jardin was cancelled.

But Becki, as always, came through. She treated me to The Starving Man—my favourite takeaway from when I was younger and lived around Altrincham. A chicken and halloumi kebab with cheesy chips.

And yes, 20 years on, it is still the best takeaway in Altrincham

Final Thoughts

What a day.

I completed my first marathon. I ran every step. I battled heat, cramp—and came out the other side.

I will absolutely do another one. Not to mention I have 2 Ultra marathons booked for September 27th 2025 which is 54k Trail around Ladybower reservoir and Manchester to Altrincham 50 miler next April 2 weeks before the Manchester Marathon.

The training now needs to focus on time on my feet as cardiovascularly it was comfortable but the heavy legs and threatening cramp made it harder and so training to improve the endurance in my legs will be key. 

What made this one unforgettable wasn’t just the run. It was the people. The strangers shouting my name. The kids handing out sweets. The volunteers. The Metrolink staff.  And most of all, Becki and Lorraine, who truly went above and beyond to support me.

Thank you, Manchester.

Thank you, everyone who made that day what it was.

I’ll be back.