Running Trail Running Events in Manchester 2026–2027

Phoenix Manchester is bringing you another Friday event - at the request of our runners! This is one of our timed events where you choose - from 5km to 10k, half to marathon to ultra, you can complete as many, or as few, laps as you like of a 5.3km, 3.28 mile, out and back, course along the beautiful River Mersey in Chorlton Water Park.  We welcome all abilities of runners, walkers, joggers, hikers, Jeffers - complete one lap and you're both a finisher and a winner in our eyes, or keep going and see how far you can get in the full 7 hour time limit and everyone gets the fabulous bespoke finishers' medal.  Run a lap and see how you feel on the day and keep on going if it feels right. Race brief: A race brief is sent a week before the event which is mandatory reading for all participants. Chosen charity: TBC Start Time: Earliest start 8am. Rock up and Run 8am onwards.  Registration from 7.30am.  All runners should be finished by 3.30pm Location: Hardy Farm, M21 8FE Race Distance: Minimum distance is 3.28 miles or as far as you can go in 7 hours. Terrain: Off road trail, the terrain is riverside towpath. Aid station: We have a well-stocked vegetarian aid station all day, with many vegan items as well as gluten free/free from items. For example: bananas, dates, jelly sweets, crisps, usually some form of cake, squash, full sugar cola, etc. Allergies: If you have severe and life threatening allergies, please bring your own food, as we cannot guarantee there will be no cross-contamination. Profile: The overall course has very little elevation gain / loss making this a flat and fast route. Toilets and changing rooms available at Race HQ.              Parking available for 75 cars at Hardy Farm on a first come, first serve basis. Additional Parking for upto 100 cars is available across the river at Sale Water Park (15min walk from the start). There is also additional public and paid parking around Chorlton Water Park.

Are you ready for another Feisty and Fluffy Phoenix Run? We have a very special giveaway to the first 50 sign ups for this event, a limited edition Phoenix Manchester soft toy - this time in yellow! A soft toy to match our Feisty Phoenix medal! You have another chance to get a soft-toy if you missed out on the fluffy Phoenix the first time around. Only the first 50 will get this soft toy, so don't leave it too late. Event Details Location: Hardy Farm M21 8FE Please note the location of this event is now Hardy Farm. Start time: "Rock up and run" when you're ready 8.30am onwards. All runners should be finished by 3.30pm. We don't have official start time, if you have any special requests on start times, please email us and we will do our best to accommodate you. Aid Station As always, we'll have a well-stocked aid station available all day for everyone, regardless of distance. Options usually include crisps, pretzels, cookies, biscuits, bananas, squash, water, and more. Facilities Toilets and registration will be at Hardy Farm. Parking: Parking available for 75 cars at Hardy Farm on a first come, first serve basis. More parking is avialable in nearby streets and Sale Water Park. An email briefing will be sent 7 days in advance with all up to date information.

End 2026 with a Phoenix run! Medals This is a pick-your-own medal event. If you've had your eye on a Phoenix medal you previously missed out on, please email us to check availability. If the medal is available, we'll let you know and you'll need to book the event to reserve it. Otherwise, you'll be able to choose from the medals available on the day.    The first 90 participants will also get a Phoenix Manchester light weight, microfibre, quick dry towel. Perfect for travel, your sports kit and easy to pack away! This is one of our timed events where you choose - from 5km to 10k, half to marathon to ultra, you can complete as many, or as few, laps as you like of a 5.3km, 3.28 mile, out and back, course along the beautiful River Mersey in Chorlton Water Park.  We welcome all abilities of runners, walkers, joggers, hikers, Jeffers - complete one lap and you're both a finisher and a winner in our eyes, or keep going and see how far you can get in the full 7 hour time limit and everyone gets the fabulous bespoke finishers' medal.  Run a lap and see how you feel on the day and keep on going if it feels right. Race brief: A race brief is sent a week before the event which is mandatory reading for all participants. Chosen charity: Cheshire Cats Rescue Start Time: Earliest start 8am. Rock up and Run 8am onwards.  Registration from 7.30am.  All runners should be finished by 3.30pm Location: Hardy Farm, M21 8FE Race Distance: Minimum distance is 3.28 miles or as far as you can go in 7 hours. Terrain: Off road trail, the terrain is riverside towpath. Aid station: We have a well-stocked vegetarian aid station all day, with many vegan items as well as gluten free/free from items. For example: bananas, dates, jelly sweets, crisps, usually some form of cake, squash, full sugar cola, etc. Allergies: If you have severe and life threatening allergies, please bring your own food, as we cannot guarantee there will be no cross-contamination. Profile: The overall course has very little elevation gain / loss making this a flat and fast route. Toilets and changing rooms available at Race HQ.                    Parking available for 75 cars at Hardy Farm on a first come, first serve basis. Additional Parking for upto 100 cars is available across the river at Sale Water Park (15min walk from the start). There is also additional public and paid parking around Chorlton Water Park.

From Run Fanatics

ABBATHON brings together the fun of an ABBA tribute show with the buzz of a 5K or 10K run. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a complete beginner, or simply a devoted ABBA fan, ABBATHON is designed to be welcoming, accessible and full of feel-good energy from start to finish. Run, jog, walk or dance your way around the course through one of the city’s most iconic parks, with ABBA hits keeping the atmosphere high every step of the way. Whether you’re chasing a PB, running your first 5K, or just here for the ABBA vibes, ABBATHON is all about enjoying every step. We’re taking the tribute act out of the pub and into the park for the whole family to enjoy, combining live music, a DJ, on-course music guides, professional photography and finisher’s medals to create a fully immersive themed race experience. From the live tribute performance to the music around the course and finisher’s medal, ABBATHON is a feel-good running experience like no other. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it.

The Ultra Loop is an inclusive and flexible 8-hour running event with no limit on how far you can run. Within the 8 hours, you are encouraged to run as many loops as you can. The mixed-terrain course combines roads and trails around a 5km loop and no matter how many loops you run, you receive a finishing time and medal. The event takes place at Heaton Park in Manchester, UK where you experience the park in full as you run by Boating Lake and Heaton Hall and explore the trails and streams of the woodland. You can enter on either Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st, or take on the double by running both days and combining your total distance.