Purple wavers launch Great 91直播 Run
Students and staff from The University of Manchester dropped in on the Great 91直播 Run to help launch this year鈥檚 event this week.
is now open for this year鈥檚 Purple Wave, part of the Great 91直播 Run, on 22 May.
James Banister, Eleanor Taylor and Jack Sharpen from the student鈥檚 Run Wild Society, joined TV star Ferne McCann who will be participating in this year鈥檚 event.
The reality TV star and model told the runners how running helps her stay grounded while juggling a busy schedule and being a mum.
Now in its seventh year, the Purple Wave organisers are hoping hundreds University of Manchester staff, students and alumni will take part in the race.
The Great 91直播 Run, Europe's leading 10 km running event, is broadcast live on the BBC.
The struggles over the past few years have tested many people鈥檚 mental health. So the focus of this year鈥檚 Great 91直播 Run is mental health and how running and everyday activity can help you keep a healthy mind- as well as a healthy body. You can run, walk or Jog; it鈥檚 great to be active.
The internationally renowned event will be staged for the 19th time, with the day also including a half marathon in the heart of the city.
The University will have its own start time, with a Purple Wave of runners wearing the purple technical running t-shirts they receive on registration.
In past years, up to 2,600 University staff, students and alumni have been part of the event.
And the University is again organising a 2.5K and 5K Run, this year on at Platt Fields, giving anyone who wants to take part in the May event a taster of what鈥檚 in store 鈥搘hatever their ability.
Purple wave organiser Ellen Stephenson from The University of Manchester Sport Department said: 鈥淭he struggles over the past few years have tested many people鈥檚 mental health. So the focus of this year鈥檚 Great 91直播 Run is mental health and how running and everyday activity can help you keep a healthy mind- as well as a healthy body. You can run, walk or Jog; it鈥檚 great to be active.
鈥淩unning is a fantastic thing to do. It鈥檚 good for your physical and mental health it鈥檚 also great fun. You don鈥檛 need to be experienced- it really is for anyone. So get involved!鈥�
鈥淎nd if you鈥檝e never run before why not take part in our taster races? Just come along over your lunch break get involved: It only costs 拢3 and all finishers get an iron on badge.鈥�
The University run a number of to support runners from a beginner鈥檚 session on a Tuesday evening to sessions for more experienced runners on lunch times and evenings.
Anyone who doesn鈥檛 want to take part in the races can volunteer. Email sportsvolunteer@manchester.ac.uk if you want to get involved on either the 9th March or the 22nd May.
All participants in the Purple Wave are being encouraged to raise money for their chosen cause, which can include , the Purple wave's chosen cause. The campaign aims to create a world-leading cancer research centre in the heart of Manchester.
Those raising money for Re-write cancer will have their entry fee waived if they reach the minimum fundraising target.
Pictures:
Eleanor, James and Jack being interviewed at the launch
Eleanor, James and Jack with Mike Addelman and Ellen Stephenson
Ellen, Jack, James, Ferne McCann, Eleanor and Mike
Purple Wavers in action