Manchester Marathon to be host for England Commonwealth Games qualifiers

With news that the Therme Manchester Marathon is the largest UK marathon to take place in Spring 2022, England Athletics and Therme Manchester Marathon are delighted to announce that the Therme Manchester Marathon will be host for the England Commonwealth Games qualifiers.

They’ll be welcoming the country’s best endurance runners to take on the famous 26.2 mile course through Greater Manchester in order to compete for a treasured spot on the England team for Birmingham 2022.

Therme Manchester Marathon will also host the trials for British athletes eligible to compete in the qualifiers for the 2022 European Athletics Championships. 

Now the fourth largest marathon in Europe and the second largest in the UK, the Therme Manchester Marathon is hugely popular due to its fast flat course, and the unrivalled Mancunian atmosphere. 

With a rich history dating back as far as 1908, the annual event has become a destination for keen runners from all over the country who are looking to nail a new personal best time, and many first timers find its supportive and welcoming atmosphere the perfect place to achieve a life goal. 

Indeed, 2021 saw 40,000 runners register to take on the popular course.

2021 saw runners be the first to run a new route through the city centre taking in some of the city’s iconic landmarks before heading to Trafford and areas such as Sale and Altrincham.

The three mile city centre section will return in 2022, and runners will be able to enjoy the sights of Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel amongst many others.

With over 60 elite male and female athletes competing for a spot on the England 2022 Commonwealth Games team, England Athletics have set a tight qualification standard with qualifying times of 2:14 for male athletes and 2:34 for female athletes.

“2022 is shaping up to be a fantastic summer of sport, with the Commonwealth Games taking place right here in the UK in Birmingham,” says Nick Rusling, CEO of event organisers Human Race. 

“For us at Therme Manchester Marathon, to be asked to host the England marathon trial, alongside the British Athletics European Athletics Championships qualifiers, is a testament to how big our marathon event has become. 

“We have always welcomed a strong field of elite athletes, but 2022 will see us welcome the best in British athletics to our course.” 

Tom Craggs, England Athletics Road Running Manager, says: “2022 is an incredibly exciting year for home nations athletes with three major championships taking place. 

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with the team at Therme Manchester Marathon to support athletes to have the best possible experience at the England Commonwealth Games and British Athletics European Championship trials.”

Places in next year’s Therme Manchester Marathon, which is set to return on Sunday 3rd April 2022, are available to secure now. To find out more about how to run or volunteer at the next event, click below.