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| Manchester Half Marathon 2025: 'Running has changed my life' | Manchester Half Marathon 2025: 'Running has changed my life' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Laura Cloran says positive energy and friendly people make Manchester's running clubs incredibly welcoming | Laura Cloran says positive energy and friendly people make Manchester's running clubs incredibly welcoming |
| A record field of more than 28,000 runners is expected to take part in this year's Manchester Half Marathon on 12 October. | A record field of more than 28,000 runners is expected to take part in this year's Manchester Half Marathon on 12 October. |
| Earlier this year, the Manchester Marathon also attracted more entrants than ever before, with about 36,000 taking part. | Earlier this year, the Manchester Marathon also attracted more entrants than ever before, with about 36,000 taking part. |
| Research carried out for a gym equipment company in April, which considered factors including the number of running clubs and sports shops, ranked Manchester as the best city for runners in the United Kingdom. | Research carried out for a gym equipment company in April, which considered factors including the number of running clubs and sports shops, ranked Manchester as the best city for runners in the United Kingdom. |
| The BBC spoke with three Mancunian runners to hear their stories. | The BBC spoke with three Mancunian runners to hear their stories. |
| 'The boost I needed' | 'The boost I needed' |
| Laura Cloran, who trains with the all-female RunTheWorldMCR club in the Monton area of Manchester, said that while she had needed a bit of persuasion to start her running journey, she had never looked back. | Laura Cloran, who trains with the all-female RunTheWorldMCR club in the Monton area of Manchester, said that while she had needed a bit of persuasion to start her running journey, she had never looked back. |
| "I can wholeheartedly say it's has changed my life," she said. | "I can wholeheartedly say it's has changed my life," she said. |
| "I'm the fittest I've ever been, and it's been so beneficial to my mental wellbeing. | "I'm the fittest I've ever been, and it's been so beneficial to my mental wellbeing. |
| "And, of course, I've found some of the best gals along the way." | "And, of course, I've found some of the best gals along the way." |
| She is running this year's Manchester Half Marathon for the first time and believes the support the club has given her has been essential. | She is running this year's Manchester Half Marathon for the first time and believes the support the club has given her has been essential. |
| "One memorable experience that stands out was during a long solo run for my half-marathon training," she said. | "One memorable experience that stands out was during a long solo run for my half-marathon training," she said. |
| "When I arrived at a Parkrun, I was feeling drained, but four of the girls surprised me by showing up, running alongside me, and offering words of encouragement. | "When I arrived at a Parkrun, I was feeling drained, but four of the girls surprised me by showing up, running alongside me, and offering words of encouragement. |
| "Their selfless act meant the world to me, and it gave me the boost I needed to keep going." | "Their selfless act meant the world to me, and it gave me the boost I needed to keep going." |
| Chris Lloyd has vast experience of Manchester's many running clubs | Chris Lloyd has vast experience of Manchester's many running clubs |
| It's fair to say Chris Lloyd also absolutely loves running. | It's fair to say Chris Lloyd also absolutely loves running. |
| He trained with 11 different clubs while preparing for the Manchester Half Marathon. | He trained with 11 different clubs while preparing for the Manchester Half Marathon. |
| Originally from Wigan, the 31-year-old moved to Salford Quays two years ago. | Originally from Wigan, the 31-year-old moved to Salford Quays two years ago. |
| "I wanted to meet new people and make new friends," he said. | "I wanted to meet new people and make new friends," he said. |
| "I didn't originally plan to train with so many, but everyone was so welcoming and each offered something different so it just grew and grew. | "I didn't originally plan to train with so many, but everyone was so welcoming and each offered something different so it just grew and grew. |
| "I had them all on a two-week schedule, taking part in both mornings and evening sessions. It was five on one week, six on the other." | "I had them all on a two-week schedule, taking part in both mornings and evening sessions. It was five on one week, six on the other." |
| It was when Chris began to experience the "runner's high" that he set his sights on challenging himself more, going on to complete half marathons in 2023 and 2024. | It was when Chris began to experience the "runner's high" that he set his sights on challenging himself more, going on to complete half marathons in 2023 and 2024. |
| "A full marathon was too much," he explained, "but the half was challenging enough to push me, while still being something I felt I could realistically do. | "A full marathon was too much," he explained, "but the half was challenging enough to push me, while still being something I felt I could realistically do. |
| "After I had finished it once, I ended up doing it a second time. | "After I had finished it once, I ended up doing it a second time. |
| "However, I just couldn't keep up training with so many clubs, so I've cut back quite a lot now but kept the friendships I made." | "However, I just couldn't keep up training with so many clubs, so I've cut back quite a lot now but kept the friendships I made." |
| Vicky Hilton started running as a new hobby but now regularly competes in races | Vicky Hilton started running as a new hobby but now regularly competes in races |
| Vicky Hilton, who also trains with RunTheWorldMCR, completed the Manchester Marathon earlier this year. | Vicky Hilton, who also trains with RunTheWorldMCR, completed the Manchester Marathon earlier this year. |
| She said she would never have signed up to run more than 26 miles had it not have been for the support of her club. | She said she would never have signed up to run more than 26 miles had it not have been for the support of her club. |
| "The ladies in the group have 100% inspired me to push myself and complete longer distances," she said. | "The ladies in the group have 100% inspired me to push myself and complete longer distances," she said. |
| "I'm nervous about running alone but less so now, as RunTheWorldMCR has really helped build my confidence and meet up in groups to do long runs especially." | "I'm nervous about running alone but less so now, as RunTheWorldMCR has really helped build my confidence and meet up in groups to do long runs especially." |
| Vicky believes the region's diverse landscape helps keep training sessions fresh. | |
| "Canal paths and woodland trails alongside city routes makes it more interesting and you can train for any distance race with all this available," she said. | "Canal paths and woodland trails alongside city routes makes it more interesting and you can train for any distance race with all this available," she said. |
| "Also, running different routes with various run leaders helps you try different paces, distances and elevations which all support you build stamina for those bigger challenges." | "Also, running different routes with various run leaders helps you try different paces, distances and elevations which all support you build stamina for those bigger challenges." |