Date: Saturday 21st June 2025

Distance: 25km

Still on the quest to find my mojo, I embarked on Manchester’s Trail Escape. Originally Lisa Markham and myself bought tickets with a Black Friday deal. Unfortunately due to injury Lisa couldn’t run. 

The race started at 8am which meant an early start over the snake pass to Manchester’s Philips Park. The event village was low key and more toilets would have been nice. 

The event started in waves. If you are a quick runner hoping for a time, the first wave is advised. The event is open to all abilities. There are aid stations approximately every 4 miles and with the warm weather warning this was needed to refill bottles and keep hydrated. 

The route takes you out of the city along green corridors to the stunning western edge of the Peak District National Park. The course is undulating with the steepest climb at mile 7 up to Hartshead Pike where you can enjoy breathtaking views back towards the city. The route then loops through the villages before re-joining the green corridor to return back into the city and the well earned finish line.

At the finish you get a medal, T shirt and Atlantic alcohol free beer. There were 343 finishers with the overall race winner and first female being Alice MacArthur in 2.09.01. The male race winner and second overall was Joe Thompson in 2.09.30

Striders Results: