Top Elites Gather: A Who’s Who Guide
Manchester will stage a major sporting Sunday on 19 April 2026. The adidas Manchester Marathon runs alongside the Premier League decider between Manchester City and Arsenal. Organisers expect more than 150,000 spectators along the marathon route. Around 55,000 fans are due at the stadium for the match.
Event overview
Over 70 elite athletes will line up for the marathon. The race also hosts the 2026 England Athletics English Championships. Melissah Gibson has withdrawn and will not compete this year.
Women’s elite field
Naomi Robinson returns to Manchester after her 2023 victory. She arrives in strong form, having won gold for Great Britain at the IAU 50km World Championships. Heather Timmins is another key contender with a qualifying time of 2:32:40 from the Zurich Seville Marathon.
Gibson had been named among the favourites after finishing as last year’s runner-up and racing at the IAU 50km World Championships. Her withdrawal reshapes the front-line contenders.
Men’s elite field
Joshua Griffiths is the defending champion after his 2025 win in 2:16:56. Steven Bayton is back, returning to the race for the first time since his title in 2016. Will Clarke, an Olympic triathlete who ran the 2022 edition, will also start.
Top elites gather in Manchester, creating a compact who’s who of British and international marathon talent.
Wheelchair elite field
Bret Crossley returns to defend the wheelchair title he won in 2024. Josh Hickinbottom will be among his rivals after a strong showing at the 2025 Manchester Half Marathon. Hickinbottom posted a time of 56:03 for third place at that event.
Prizes, bonuses and how to follow
Prize money will be equal across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair elite fields. A £500 time bonus will be awarded for a 2:16 finishing time in the men’s elite field or for a time under 2:36 in the women’s race. The wheelchair start is scheduled for 08:55. The elite men’s and women’s races follow at 09:00.
Where to find more
- The full elite start list is available via Filmogaz.com.
- Filmogaz.com will also host the live stream and publish results after the podium presentations.
