Weekly Manchester Marathon Social Runs
Grouped Manchester Marathon Training Social Runs
We’re putting together a series of grouped marathon training social runs to help you stay consistent, stay accountable and share the miles with others working towards the same goal.
Where we can, we’ll use sections of the actual Manchester Marathon route so you can get familiar with the course, practise your pacing, and take some of the mystery out of race day.
These runs are designed so you don’t have to train alone – you’ll have company for the tough long runs, a set plan to follow, and a crew around you who “get it”.
Where we can, we’ll use sections of the actual Manchester Marathon route so you can get familiar with the course, practise your pacing, and take some of the mystery out of race day.
These runs are designed so you don’t have to train alone – you’ll have company for the tough long runs, a set plan to follow, and a crew around you who “get it”.
Manchester Marathon Long Run Plan
Sunday long run time, distance, pace and estimated duration combined into one column. Plan builds towards Race Day – Sunday 19 April 2026.
| Phase | Week | Week Commencing | Tuesday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 1 | Monday, 19 January 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 16.5 km - 5:45-6min/km - 1 hour 39 mins |
| Base | 2 | Monday, 26 January 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 20 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours |
| Base | 3 | Monday, 2 February 2026 | 6pm - 10k incl Hill Sprints | 7:30 am - 23.5 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours 21 mins |
| Base | 4 | Monday, 9 February 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 20 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours |
| Transition | 5 | Monday, 16 February 2026 | 6pm - 10k incl Intervals | 7:30 am - 25 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours 30 mins |
| Transition | 6 | Monday, 23 February 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 21.5 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours 9 mins |
| Race specific | 7 | Monday, 2 March 2026 | 6pm - 10k incl Hill Sprints | 7:30 am - 27 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours 42 mins |
| Race specific | 8 | Monday, 9 March 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 29 km - 5:45-6min/km - 2 hours 54 mins |
| Race specific | 9 | Monday, 16 March 2026 | 6pm - 10k incl Intervals | 7:30 am - 30 km - 5:45-6min/km - 3 hours |
| Race specific | 10 | Monday, 23 March 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 32 km - 5:45-6min/km - 3 hours 12 mins |
| Taper | 11 | Monday, 30 March 2026 | 6pm - 10k incl Hill Sprints | 7:30 am - 11.5 km - 5:45-6min/km - 1 hour 9 mins |
| Taper | 12 | Monday, 6 April 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - 5 km - 5:45-6min/km - 30 mins |
| Race Week | 13 | Monday, 13 April 2026 | 6pm - 10k Easy Social | 7:30 am - Race Day – Manchester Marathon |
Session key:
- 10k Easy Social: relaxed, conversational pace. Easy effort, no racing – just getting the volume in and chatting with the group.
- 10k incl Intervals: ~10k total including blocks of faster running (e.g. warm up, 6–10 reps, cool down).
- 10k incl Hill Sprints: ~10k total with hill reps (e.g. warm up, 8–12 × 60–90s uphill, jog down, cool down).
- Sunday runs: longer, steady runs around your marathon long-run pace (around 5:45–6:00 min/km as a guide).
- Taper weeks: lower volume so you arrive fresher while keeping the legs ticking over.
- Race Week: keep it easy, trust the work you’ve done, and save your energy for Sunday – Race Day – Manchester Marathon.
Prep reminder: please bring everything you personally need for a comfortable long run – fuel (gels, chews, snacks), hydration (bottles, soft flasks, electrolytes), appropriate layers, and any safety kit you rely on. Look after your body, test your marathon-day strategy, and run smart.
Important – medical information: All runners must complete the medical form at least once before joining these sessions:
https://forms.gle/ZuMwUZALB4fpNy9z7
.
This helps us make sure we have the most up-to-date information in case of an emergency.
If you have any new or on-the-day medical issues (for example feeling unwell, a recent injury, or changes to medication), you must let the run leader know before the run starts.
If you have any new or on-the-day medical issues (for example feeling unwell, a recent injury, or changes to medication), you must let the run leader know before the run starts.
Start & finish – Twisted HQ: All of these runs will start and end at Twisted HQ. Having a consistent home base means:
- Bag drop: you can leave a clearly labelled bag with spare kit, warm layers or post-run snacks.
- Easy meet point: no faffing about finding each other – same spot, every time.
- Post-run social: time to debrief, share how the run went, and chat through training with the group.
- Safety & support: we start together, finish back at base together, and make sure no one is left out on the route.