Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah has voiced a series of guest Metrolink announcements to be played on trams ahead of the Great Manchester Run this weekend.
It means commuters across the city region will be told what the next stop is by one of the all time greats of track and road running.
"It's gonna by momentous, you know it," says four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo of the event in one message to be played on board services. "I hope to see some of you on the start line but if not, cheering on the streets of Manchester. On your marks, get set, Mo time."
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Commonwealth Games champion Eilish McColgan has also voiced Metrolink messages ahead of what is likely to be a busy weekend on Manchester's transport network.
The decorated duo will be encouraging commuters to plan ahead and touch-in and touch-out if paying for travel by contactless.
The Great Manchester Run returns to the city this weekend, with thousands of runners taking on the 10k and half-marathon events. Manchester's original running event takes place on Sunday, May 21, with start times staggered throughout the day.
And as 2023 marks the 20th anniversary, there will be live entertainment zones at every turn to mark the occasion. Established in 2003, the run is known for being Europe’s biggest 10km race, and will be broadcast on the BBC throughout the day.
Previous Metrolink guest announcers have included X-Factor host Dermot O'Leary, ahead of last year's Soccer Aid at Old Trafford, Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess and Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder.
For Sir Mo, it will be his last ever race in Manchester as he prepares to bow out from elite competition after the AJ Bell Great North Run in September.
Metrolink has several stops that are close to the start and finish lines for both the 10k and half-marathon.
Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester's Head of Metrolink, said: "We're really excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Great Manchester Run and we can’t wait to welcome people onto the network this weekend.
"We're delighted to have Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan making announcements on Metrolink, and I'm sure our passengers will enjoy hearing their voices in the lead-up to what is a brilliant event."
Around 25,000 runners – including Sir Mo – are expected to take part across the two races, with thousands more expected to line the routes which will take in Manchester city centre, Trafford and Salford.
Along with the incredible local support, there will also be live music, charity cheering squads and entertainment zones on hand to help runners get over the line.
Sir Brendan Foster, founder of The Great Run Company said: "It's a great privilege for us to celebrate the 20th AJ Bell Great Manchester Run this year - something we're only able to do because of the way the event has been embraced by the people of Manchester and the North West as a whole.
"With the support of our partners and organisations across the region, such as the Transport for Greater Manchester, it's been very special to see the event become such an integral part of the city.
"We are also honoured that Sir Mo Farah has chosen the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run as one of his final professional races, and we will be joined over the weekend by Commonwealth champion and Great Run Ambassador, Eilish McColgan, as we celebrate the past two decades.
"As part of these celebrations, Sir Mo and Eilish have recorded announcements to be played throughout the week across the tram network. We hope their voices will inspire runners and spectators alike as they travel to and from the event on Sunday 21st May. We can't wait to see everyone come together and celebrate 20 years of this iconic event."
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