The 40th edition of the event includes a new team competition as well as an increased prize fund

A new team competition has been introduced for the 40th edition of the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, while an increased prize fund is also on offer.

Taking place on April 10, the event is set to welcome a record number of runners in 2016. The race grew by 33% from 2014 to 2015 and next year will be even bigger, with 15,000 places available.

As with previous editions, a British-only prize fund and time bonuses for UK-registered runners will again be up for grabs, while the new team competition will see prizes awarded to the top three male and female teams.

There is a first prize of 600 for the top male and top female teams. Teams must be from UKA affiliated clubs and a cumulative time from the top three runners of each club will be taken. There is also a second prize of 300 and a third prize of 150.

The top individual prize for the male winner and female winner is now 2000, with 1000 on offer for both the male and female runner-up and 750 each for the third-placed finishers. In total, there are prizes up for grabs for the top 10 finishers in both the male and female race.

Described as the ‘flattest, fastest and friendliest marathon in the UK, the event has origins which date back more than a century and after vanishing in 2002 the race was resurrected in 2012. It starts and finishes near Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club, and is ideal for runners who want to set a PB with a course that features just 54m elevation gain.

The three time bonuses available to UK-registered runners only are 10,000 for the top male and female who clock under 2:10 or 2:26 respectively, 3000 for the top male and female who dip under 2:15 and 2:32 respectively and 500 for all who go sub-2:20 for men and sub-2:38 for women. While time bonuses are not cumulative, they are in addition to the cash prize fund.

Further information on elite entry can be found here, while other details on the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon can be found at www.greatermanchestermarathon.com.

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