Reigning champions Gotytom Gebreslase and Vincent Ngetich face Hellen Obiri and Selemon Barega among others on May 18
As the clock ticks ever closer to this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run on Sunday 18 th May, the line up for the elite field races are unveiled with both 2024 men’s and women’s Champions returning to defend their titles.
Vincent Ngetich of Kenya set a 10km PB of 27:25 last year, missing the course record byjust one second.
He recently came third in the 2025 Tokyo Marathon so looks likely to put on a strong defence of his Great Manchester Run crown.
Gotytom Gebreslase, from Ethiopia, also returns to defend her title after setting a PB here in 2024 with a time of 30:32.
Ngetich said: “I’m happy to be returning to Manchester to defend my title. I’m coming off another third place finish in Tokyo so I’m in similar shape to 2024. I was so close to the course record last year so that will be at the back of my mind.”
Joining the men’s field is Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega, the Tokyo Olympic 10,000m goldmedallist. Competing in his first Great Manchester Run, he said: “This is actually my first 10km road race outside of Ethiopia, which is actually quite hard to believe.
“I’ve competed all over the world over 10,000m on the track but it’s strange to think thatthis is my debut on the roads outside of home. I’m excited to compete in Manchester in such a big race with a great history.”
May 18 will also see the exciting debut by his fellow countryman Deresa Geleta, who finishedsecond in February’s Tokyo Marathon.
In the women’s field, Gebreslase will face stiff competition from the likes of Hellen Obiri of Kenya, the 2024 Olympic marathon bronze medallist and three-time Great Manchester Run champion.
Medina Eisa of Ethiopia, who holds the fastest time in world this year with 29:25 in Castellón, Spain, will be one athletes will be watching closely too.
Also racing is 2024 runner up Rosemary Wanjiru from Kenya alongside another former champion Vivian Cheruiyot.
Emily Sisson of the United States and Issy Batt-Doyle of Australia are also set to run.
Speaking from her training base in Addis Ababa, Gotytom said: “I really enjoyed racing inManchester last year so it was an easy decision to come back and try to and make it two in a row.
“I can see many good girls here this weekend so I know it will be tough but I am ready.”
Obiri added: “I enjoy racing in Manchester and coming off a tough Boston Marathon it presents a different challenge which I am looking forward to. I have recovered well and will be giving it my all to get another victory here in the UK.”
Leading the British challenge will be Verity Ockenden, who is coming off an impressive PB of31:35 and Alex Bell, who finished seventh at the 2021 Olympics over 800m.
Further Brits entered include Ben Connor, Charlotte Purdue, Louise Small, Scott Stirling, plus Ireland’s Nick Griggs.
Sir Brendan Foster, president of The Great Run Company, said: “Year after year the GreatManchester Run proudly welcomes world-class athletes from across the globe. Manchester is a city steeped in sporting heritage, with some of the world’s most prolific sports fans calling the city home so it’s no surprise that the world’s fastest runners return to its streets to compete and soak up the atmosphere.
“Spectators are once again in for a great show and a nail-biting sprint for the finish as there is very little between the elite line-up. It really could be anyone’s race this year!”
Elite athletes will line up alongside 35,000 participants on the Sunday morning taking on either the 10km or half-marathon distance, making this the biggest Great Manchester Run in a decade.
The Great Manchester Run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 11am until 1pm.8:10 Elite Wheelchair Start8:15 Half Marathon Start11:30 10km Elite Women Start11:45 10km Elite Men and Masses Start
