AJ Bell Great Manchester Run and Sale Sharks Inspire Next Generation

Manchester’s most celebrated weekend of running bursts into action this Saturday 17 May 2025, as the Junior and Mini AJ Bell Great Manchester Run takes over the Etihad Campus. This high-energy kick off sets the stage for Sunday’s iconic half marathon and 10k, uniting the city in a festival of movement, high spirits, and community pride.

Adding even more excitement, this year sees the launch of a powerful new partnership between the Great Manchester Run and the Sale Sharks Foundation. Teaming up for the first time, they’re on a mission to ignite a lifelong love of sport in young people, while raising vital funds for the Foundation’s game-changing work across the Northwest.

Sale Sharks Foundation will be out in full force on Saturday, bringing their dynamic “Come Try It Zone” to life. Families can dive into fun, free activities – from skill games to the crowd-favourite giant inflatable rugby darts – offering young fans a playful way to engage with sport and movement.

This new partnership is grounded in a shared mission to get young people across Greater Manchester and the Northwest active, championing the physical and mental benefits of an active lifestyle. With deep roots in the local community, both Sale Sharks Foundation and the Great Manchester Run are committed to creating an impact locally that lasts long after the finish line is crossed.

Among those competing in the Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run will be the young runners from Sandbach Rugby Club in Cheshire.

Billy, aged 9, said: “I love running because it makes me feel strong and fast especially on the rugby field! It’s fun to race with my friends and I can’t wait to see if I can beat them on Saturday.”

Andrew Bird, Director of Rugby at Sandbach said: “It is great to have a number of members from our large M&J section representing the club in a different environment, hopefully they enjoy the experience and have lots of fun! They are really excited about the atmosphere as they have heard great things about the event.”

Abi Dean, CEO of Sale Sharks Foundation, said: ”At Sale Sharks Foundation, we are passionate about using the transformative power of rugby to change lives across the North West. Seeing young people taking part in events like the Junior and Mini Run show how vital it is to create these opportunities to create lasting memories and life long habits around physical activity from an early age.

Every penny raised by the Sale Sharks Foundation runners at this year’s Great Manchester Run will help fund and expand essential programmes they deliver like Try to Connect opening up even more opportunities for young people to get active, build confidence, and achieve their full potential. To find out more about Sale Sharks Foundation’s incredible community work, click here.