Get fit and help our city with the We Love Manchester Active Challenge

September’s Great Manchester Run has been cancelled – but today, organisers have launched an alternative challenge to celebrate the event.

The We Love Manchester Active Challenge aims to give everyone the chance to stay motivated and still commemorate the event – and, most importantly, to continue fundraising for their chosen charities.

The challenge itself takes participants through what would have been the final stages of training.

Starting on 10th August and finishing on 6th September, participants are challenged to complete a minimum of 15 activities (walk, jog or run) of any distance over 28 days.

For younger runners aged 16 and under, there is a junior challenge available.

You can walk, jog or run at any pace or distance you’re comfortable with, and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a special edition medal.

The challenge will culminate with a Virtual Bee Wave. All participants are encouraged to complete their final activity, individually, but virtually together on 6th September (the day the event was scheduled to take place), dressed in bee theme.

The challenge costs £10 to join, and all profits will go to We Love MCR Charity, the partner charity of I Love MCR®.

Organisers are also encouraging everyone who joins the challenge to fundraise for a Great Manchester Run charity who otherwise would miss out this year.

“Despite having to cancel the event due to the public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus, we were determined to find a way to still celebrate all that is great about the event,” said Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company.

“The Great Manchester Run is an important day in the calendar for charities with millions raised each year.

“All profits from the challenge will go to the We Love MCR Charity, and we’re encouraging all participants to fundraise for one of the event’s official charities.

“Together we can help our charity partners raise a significant fundraising total.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic had a catastrophic effect on UK charities, with We Love MCR not exempt from the effects impacting their ability to provide support to Manchester,” said Councillor Luthfur Rahman.

“However, in true Mancunian spirit, we are challenging Manchester to be more active across 28 days.

“I am thrilled to support the launch of the ‘We Love Manchester Active Challenge’, a virtual proposition not just for runners, but something for non-runners too, where everyone can get involved.

“This will be accessible to all, regardless of ability, where residents can walk, jog or run to suit their level.

“This summer, why not challenge yourself and your family to take on the virtual four-week challenge and raise money for We Love MCR? I’m up for the challenge!”

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