Thursday Run
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When: 6:50 pm for a 7 pm start
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Meet at: Sugden Sports Centre, M1 7HL
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What: Social urban run
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Distances we run (approx.): 5K, 7.5K, 10K
Where do we run?
Our Thursday evening session is an urban run that sets off from the Sugden Sports Centre, just off Oxford Road and a short distance from MMU’s main campus. The routes are around 10K in distance, with options to shorten the run to roughly 5K or 7.5K. Depending on the season, we have three core routes:
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Summer Route - Bridgewater Canal (plus 5K and 7.5K options)
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Winter Route - Alexandra Park (plus 5K and 7.5K options)
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Winter Route - Old Trafford (plus 5K and 7.5K options)
For our Summer Route (approx. April to early-September), we run down the Bridgewater Canal up to Pomona tram stop (near Salford Quays), before turning back. From mid-September to March, we alternate between two Winter Routes along pavements and roads with street lighting; one goes down to Alexandra Park/Whalley Range and back, the other down to Old Trafford/Chorlton and back.
How accessible are the routes?
We’ve tried to make our routes as traffic-free as possible, but as this is a large urban area, some traffic will be present, so please exercise caution. We strongly advise that you wear some high-visibility clothing on the Winter Route, as visibility will naturally be poorer. For more information on accessibility and road crossings, read our risk assessments here.
Enjoy a social run with other members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester.
Our Thursday evening runs are led by members who are Leaders and Coaches in Running Fitness, accredited by England Athletics
Our spring/summer route takes us down the Bridgewater Canal in Manchester. Photo by Matt Harrop, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Enjoy a social run with other members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester.
What if I’m new?
With our buddy system, we ensure that new runners have someone to guide them at their pace and chosen distance. We let you come to a few initial runs for free to see if we’re the right club for you, but if you want to run with us regularly, we request that you consider joining us as a paid member. Find out more here.
Where can I get changed or store bags?
The session itself is free, but there is a charge of £2 if you want to use the changing rooms and showers at the Sugden Sports Centre (card only). You’ll also need either a £1 coin or your own padlock for the lockers. Staff will give you access through the barriers to the lockers/showers if you say you are with Manchester Frontrunners.
Do we go anywhere after?
After the run we meet up for some well-deserved food and drink at Via on Canal Street, with complementary pizza and fries provided. On the last Thursday of every month, we usually go to a different bar or restaurant for our end-of-the-month social.