Manchester's vibrant running community is gearing up for an exciting new addition to its calendar. The Endure Relays Manchester event will debut at Sale Water Park on Saturday, May 2, 2026, introducing a dynamic team-based challenge that prioritises camaraderie and collective effort.
How the Endure Relays Team Challenge Works
At its core, the event is a high-energy test of teamwork, speed, and stamina. Crews of runners will work together over a continuous four-hour period, sharing the effort on a fast and scenic 2.5km loop. The core objective is straightforward: keep your team's baton in constant motion and cover as much ground as possible before time expires.
Designed to be inclusive, the relays welcome participants of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced marathon runners. Teams can set their own ambitious goals, targeting significant distance milestones during the four-hour window. These include reaching 20 miles (13 laps), completing a full marathon distance of 17 laps, or pushing for the ultimate 50km ultra challenge across 20 laps.
Course Strategy and Valuable Prizes
The course at Sale Water Park offers a blend of smooth paths and gentle trails, facilitating speed but also demanding tactical thinking. With the clock running non-stop, teams must decide their strategy—whether to opt for quick runner rotations or longer, carefully planned stints. This makes the event a true test of both physical endurance and team management.
There is also significant glory and reward on the line. Presenting partner SportsShoes.com is offering a substantial prize fund. Each runner in the winning Male, Female, and Mixed teams will receive a £150 voucher, creating a total prize pool of £1,800.
A Growing National Running Series
Endure Relays Manchester is not a standalone event. It forms a key part of a new three-city national series, with sister events also taking place in London and Birmingham. It is also closely related to the popular Endure24 races held annually in Reading and Leeds.
Nick Tuppen, CEO of organisers Threshold Sports, highlighted the event's ethos. He stated it reflects the expanding running communities across the UK and is specifically designed to celebrate the social and supportive nature of club running. The relay promises to be a fresh, inclusive fixture that brings running clubs, informal crews, and wider communities together for a unique day of team-based endurance racing.
This new event is poised to become a highlight in the North West's sporting calendar, emphasising shared achievement and the powerful collective spirit found within the running world.
