Athletes Ready For Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run
World class athletes are lining up to take on the challenge of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k, ahead of the 30,000 thousand amateur runners expected to flood the city's streets this Sunday, 19 May.
In the women's race, Hellen Obiri of Kenya, will face a very competitive field when she takes on her compatriot Edna Kiplagat and Ethiopian Ruti Aga.
Obiri was crowned World Cross Country Champion earlier this year, ensuring her place in history becoming the first female athlete to claim world indoor, outdoor and cross country titles. Helen is also the 2016 Olympic silver medallist over 5000m, this will be her first time in Manchester and first time competing over 10km on the road.
Two time World Marathon Champion Kiplagat last took on the event in 2016. Fresh from finishing runner up at last months Boston Marathon, she hopes to go one better here on Sunday. Aga is the 2019 Tokyo Marathon Champion and is racing for the first time here in the UK after showing great consistency in the marathon over the last 4 years. The British contingent will be headed up by Steph Twell, who won the Brighton 10K last month, she is joined by Gemma Steel, Ali Dixon, Mhari Maclennan and British Cross Country Champion Jenny Nesbitt.
Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, 2017 U20 world cross country champion and 2019 silver medallist from the senior race, is the fastest in the Men's field, with a personal best of 26:41 set on the non record eligible course in Madrid on New Year's Eve, where he became the fastest man to ever run the distance. He will be facing 2015 NYC Marathon champion Stanley Biwott of Kenya, who also took 2nd place at the 2016 London Marathon and Spain's Antonio Abadia the 2016 10000m European bronze medallist and national record holder.
Nick Goolab will be representing the UK, hoping to put in a strong performance after breaking the course record in Brigton in a time of 28:22, other Brits include Andy Vernon, Ieuan Thomas and Emile Cairess.
The wheelchair races will feature Johnboy Smith, Simon Lawson, Rafa Botello Jimenez and Shelly Woods.
The Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run is one of the UK's ‘big three' running events, alongside the Simplyhealth Great North Run and the Virgin London Marathon.
The event celebrates everything that's great about the city of Manchester, from the buzzing atmosphere and incredible supporters to the booming anthems that rock the city's streets. Catch all the action live on BBC 2 from 12:00- 14:20.
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