The clouds hung low in the air. The metallic sounds of the commentator bounced across the pavement with a background beat of the Courteeners. A single piece of red and white rope held between two high-vis clad volunteers were all that separated runners from their mission.
The Manchester Marathon is back, and bigger than ever. The fourth-largest race of its kind in Europe, around 28,000 participants took to the roads to run the 26.2 mile route around Manchester and Trafford today.
Participants were set off in waves from the Trafford Arch, near to the White City Retail Park. They then passed through Hulme and into the city centre and were then greeted by crowds of spectators lining Deansgate, before looping back into Trafford and passing through Sale and Altrincham.
