The gruelling marathon, now in its 39th year after returning in 2012, will see thousands of runners from around the globe pounding the streets of Greater Manchester along the 26.2 mile course.
Dr Girish Patel, GP at The Sides Medical Centre in Swinton and Salford CCG clinical lead for safeguarding children said:
“This will be my second marathon and I’ve really put the miles in during my training. Three weeks ago I completed a 31 mile ultra-marathon, so I feel like I’m now in good shape for the big day.
“My 13 year old son will be cheering me on the day and is my main inspiration for running. I hope he’ll take up running in years to come and his support on the day will get me across the finish line in less than three and a half hours.”
Hannah Ahle, Judd Skelton and Marco Giannini, in addition to working at the CCG, are also members of the Chorlton Runners running club and will be representing both on the day.
Hannah, a Service Improvement Manager at Salford CCG said:
“This is my second attempt at running the Manchester Marathon. I had to drop out last year through injury. So my main goal is to actually make it to the start line and enjoy running such an event in my home town.
“However, this is my second marathon as I ran Amsterdam in 2013, so I am confident that I can do the distance. I’m not going for any particular time on the day, I just want to go out there and enjoy myself and see how I feel.”
Judd, an Integrated Commissioning Manager at the CCG said:
“I’ve taken part in every Manchester Marathon since its return in 2012. However, last year whilst running and feeling well on track to achieving a new personal best I collapsed 150 meters from the end!
“So this year, my focus is to make it across that finish line and hopefully in a time at around three hours and 30 minutes. Like Girish, I am motivated by seeing my family at the finish line and to show my kids that sometimes in life you get knocked down, but you need to dust yourself off and get back in the race.”
Marco, a Communications Officer at the CCG said: “This will be my third marathon but my first attempt at running Manchester as I’ve run in Dublin and Berlin before.
“I’ll be running in memory of my father who passed away in 2007. When I was born in 1978 he ran the Manchester Marathon to raise money for St Mary’s Hospital to thank them for the treatment my mother received at the time.
As I became a father last year, I want to repeat what he did and will be raising money for Ward 84 at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, having seen first-hand the care and treatment friends of mine have received there recently.”
