Greater Manchester marathon attracts thousands

The first Greater Manchester marathon for a decade attracted thousands of runners on Sunday 29th April.

Sports management firm Xtra Mile Events organised the run in conjunction with Trafford Council in the hope of raising £1m for a host of charities, including The Christie and Henshaw's Society for Blind People.

Around 4,500 people took part in the 26.2-mile (42km) run, which took entrants from Longford Park in Stretford to Dunham Massey in Altrincham, and back again.

Dave Norman, a shop salesman from Denton, claimed first place in the marathon with a time of 2hrs 24mins 46sec.

The 33-year-old's father, Jeff Norman, was an Olympic athlete who represented Great Britain at the Montreal games some 36 years ago.

Manchester's last marathon was held in 2002 before the annual event made way for the 10k Great Manchester Run the following year.

"My first marathon. Many thanks to the fantastic people of Manchester who were just great." Aled Edwards, Cilfynydd around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Serious health risks all round emotional experience such a shame trained hard wasnt for t people of Manchester wouldn\\\\\\" ellie, black burn around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Due to the baggage problem i believe more blankets were handed out, not only did my bag get lost but they also ran out of blankets " ellie , black burn around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Organisers stated ideal for beginner but actually far front it very confusing re start line numbers etc felt more like a out road run" ellie, blackburn around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Great event well organised only let down by baggage reclaim otherwise we would all be saying how great it was big thankyou to all voluteers" Tim Harrop, Rossendale around 1 year, 1 month ago

"My first marathon on Sunday but would not have finished if had relied on straight mile who ran out of gels! Not enough toilets, wasted time" Alison, Wigan around 1 year, 1 month ago

"not impressed with the organisation and the refusal to give blankets at the end because they were for the park run. " eileen, oldham around 1 year, 1 month ago

"My first marathon & it was fantastic. Support phenomenal & no one can help the weather. As long as bag drop sorted in '13 I'll be back. " Paul Nelson, Bolton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"A SHAMBLES..'never' again at this one...stick to 10K Mcr." George, Oldham around 1 year, 1 month ago

"I wish I could Personaly thank the couple that dressed me & fellow runners in plastic sheeting around 17 mile. wouldnt have made it without " Donna Buckland, Glossop, Derbyshire around 1 year, 1 month ago

"I ran my first marathon yesterday I just want to say thankyou to all the supporters without them I would never have made it. " Carl (Bliss), Middleton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Well done everyone who took part ;) and thanks to all the supporters was my first marathon and enjoyed it, still missing my bag tho :(" Patrick, Wythenshawe around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Spent over a hour looking for my bag which had my phone and dry clothes in. Had to give up and leave it behind as hypothermia was setting in" Craig, Chorley around 1 year, 1 month ago

"the two miles on the dodgy farm tracks that were flooded n slippy broken wooden bridge-not good.so many were dangerously cold at the end!!!" john, northallerton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Where on earth do i find the results. I was so ill as a passed te finsih line the last thing on my mind was the time. Where are they posted?" Jude Eccles, Chorlton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Reclaim a shambles kit in rain outside tent ,no organisation of kitinto bins ,where were the staff.Runners health suffered as a result " neil, manchester around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Complete shambles. I still haven't found my bag a day later. People were crying because of the cold and without their warm kit. Never again." Tristan Searle, Surrey around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Absolute disgrace.they couldn't even find my race number on friday so they allocated me another one.i now cant find my actual finish time" nick, oldham around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Runners were queuing for ages for bags, freezing cold and exhausted. There were bags all over the place - no organisation at all. Awful." Jane, Manchester around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Poorly organised, but support from the crowds fantastic. Big thanks to couple who saw me limping home & gave me a lift!" HELEN , ALTRINCHAM around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Yes, some issues and the weather was dreadful, but the local community were warm & welcoming, really made an excellent enjoyable event " Charles Southern, Halifax around 1 year, 1 month ago

"I was on side lines around 1 mile to go, cheering on the runners.I admire every last one of them for there stamina. Well done everyone!" Susan, Stretford around 1 year, 1 month ago

"i ran the marathon and thanks to all the supporters that braved the weather also the water station helpers and first aiders lots needed them" andrea maidment, failsworth manchester around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Mcr public's support was excellent. Xtra Mile an absolute disgrace; apart from road closures, showed no planning & nor concern for athletes." Ed, London around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Poor organisation lead to dangerous conditions for the runners at the end of the race. hyperthermia set in whilst looking for baggage. " Jenny, Bolton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Great local support. Shambolic baggage situation. Big thanks to those runners who helped try and rescue the situation. Somebody had to!" Gary, Tameside around 1 year, 1 month ago

"There was no mention that part of the course would be down farm tracks! The support from the people of Manchester was amazing!!" Glenn, York around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Really enjoyed my 1st marathon. Shame about the weather but made it more of an achievement coming home under 4 hours." Jason, Sale around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Great course but shambolic organisation! Xtra Mile should be very ashamed as they put runners at serious risk with that bag collection!!" Dave Rogers, Brighton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Great course but shambolic organisation! Xtra Mile should be very ashamed as they put runners at serious risk with that bag collection!!" Dave Rogers, Brighton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Brilliant support, proud of you Manchester! Lucky 3500 runners didn't turn up on the day otherwise baggage pickup could have been even worse" JK, Manchester around 1 year, 1 month ago

"All you runners where incredible and TSG Cheerleaders in Dunham Massey and at the 24th mile enjoyed cheering you all." Joanne, Urmston around 1 year, 1 month ago

"The runners were fantastic however poor organisation left them waiting for 0ver 2hrs to collect their belongings," Tom Brooke, Bolton around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Baggage reclaim was awful and clearly was organised totally ineptly but its a bit unfair to blame organisers for flooded roads!" Tony Collier, Altrincham around 1 year, 1 month ago

"My first marathon, i agree with the other - not well organised! Parts were like a 'Tough Mudder'course!! AMAZING community spirit though!!" Rachel Lingard , Prestwich around 1 year, 1 month ago

"I ran the marathon yesterday. it was poorly organised. Runners NOT looked after.spent 2hrs searching for bag (also not looked after)" LKN, MANCHESTER around 1 year, 1 month ago

"Xtra Mile Events should never be allowed near another sporting event again. Disgraceful organization and cowardly actions (or lack of)." Agnes Simpson, Wrexham around 1 year, 1 month ago

"badly run.baggage reclaim was a joke. not impressed at all. some roads were flooded, " peter bedford, sale around 1 year, 1 month ago

"The support from the local communities was absolutely amazing, they definitely carried me the last few miles. " stuart, Hale around 1 year, 1 month ago