The Manchester Marathon 2025 featured a day of momentous glory, spectacular sunshine and a spirit where the city came together to support those taking part in the intense 26.2 mile route. On Sunday (April 27), more than 36,000 people took part in the journey from Old Trafford towards the new finish line on Oxford Road. First through the finish was elite runner Josh Griffiths, with a time of 2:16:56. The first female finisher of the Manchester Marathon was Tessa McCormick at 02:34:53. The thousands of participants all had their own personal reasons and motivations for taking part in the event and were cheered on by seas of spectators, choirs, and DJs along the way. Charlotte Whistlecroft, from Bolton, took part in honour of her friend David Knowles, who died suddenly in September from a heart attack at the age of 32. As he was an avid cricket fan, she dressed head-to-toe in cricket gear in his memory as she took part in aid of the British Heart Foundation. “I wanted to do something to honour David, who was just a huge, huge cricket fan and it just felt like the right thing to do,” Charlotte told the Manchester Evening News ahead of taking to the start line. "He always pushed himself, and it was only right that I pushed myself too - all whilst wearing my cricket whites.” Also running for personal reasons was Annette Taylor, who is attempting to complete six marathons this year in memory of her dad. The Manchester Marathon marked her second 2025 event. She explained: “[My dad] passed away from Myeloma in November 2023 and he suffered with the disease for six years, so I’m doing a marathon for every year he suffered to raise money for Myeloma UK." Asked how it felt to have passed the finish line with a time of 5:05:18, Annette said: “It feels amazing, I’m so emotional, I want to cry. At 21 miles, a song came on my playlist that I associate very strongly with my dad and I just burst into tears. I just knew that was my dad giving me the push.” The event has already been hailed as a triumph for fundraising and has already surpassed last year’s total of £3.5 million raised for charity. Whilst final figures are still being counted, it was reported at the finish line that more than £3.9m had so far been raised this year. Andrew Smith, CEO of adidas Manchester Marathon organisers, A.S.O. UK, said: “Today has been nothing short of spectacular. Manchester has shown once again why it’s one of the best cities to take on a marathon – welcoming, passionate and full of heart. “To see 36,000 people cross the finish line, many for the very first time, on the UK’s biggest-ever day of marathon running, is incredibly special. We’re proud to celebrate this moment with the whole community – participants, volunteers, charities and supporters – who made this event so successful".