5 Best in Class Events Make Up 2024 Human Race Calendar
Human Race will deliver five of the largest and most prestigious mass-participation events in their respective sports during the 2024 season. Over 80,000 people will participate in running, cycling, and triathlon events that welcome a range of abilities from complete novices to world champion athletes. Highlights include the 20th anniversary of the epic Dragon Ride sportive, Europe’s 4th largest marathon in Manchester, and London closing its roads for over 20,000 people to run the unique Cancer Research UK London Winter Run 10k.
Unlike any other running event in the world, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run 10k has become an annual tradition. Taking place on closed streets slap bang in the middle of the capital, it features hundreds of larger-than-life winter characters and regular live musical performances to create a feel-good and positive atmosphere whatever the weather. Since debuting in 2015 it has raised millions for Cancer Research UK and inspired hundreds of thousands of people to get moving during the traditionally more static winter months. The next edition on Sunday 25 February will mix returning classics like the Penguin Party and Husky High-5 Zone with some new winter treats and surprises.
The adidas Manchester Marathon remains the single largest event, welcoming 30,000 people from around the world on Sunday 14 April. In recent years it has garnered a well-deserved reputation for being the friendliest about, thanks to the unique Mancunian spirit and electric atmosphere. Demand for public places has multiplied with over 50% of the available capacity going in a short launch window earlier this year. The remaining places will be released in phases, with the next available from Tuesday 17th October.
One notable absence from the schedule is the Dorney Lake Triathlon Series, which takes a break in 2024. The trio of events that make up the series includes Eton Sprints, Banana Tri, and Season Finale. Instead focus will be on delivering the UK’s oldest running tri, and still one of the largest, the prestigious Royal Windsor Triathlon on Sunday 9 June. Since 1991 it has been known as one of the true bucket-list multi-sport events, and in recent years has been upgraded to feature a spectacular closed road run section on the iconic castle grounds including the distinctive Long Walk.
The Dragon Ride began the modern sportive revolution when it launched in 2004. Since then, it has evolved into a widely renowned challenge that features four distance options ranging from 100, up to a leg-busting 302 kilometres. The 20th anniversary edition on Sunday 23 June will celebrate this impressive milestone with some special additions, whilst continuing to prove to riders why it rightly holds the reputation as the UK’s toughest sportive.
The year finishes with the return of the Manchester Half. Due to host England Athletics championships as part of a sold-out 2023 edition, expect more pushing of boundaries on Sunday 13 October 2024 from an event that has introduced revolutionary aspects such as designing your own numbered bib and receiving one of 36 medal designs.
In addition to the five headline events owned by Human Race, they will also continue to deliver the acclaimed JLL Property Triathlon, which welcomes over 3,000 people, and the Impetus Triathlon which both take place at Dorney Lake.
CEO Andrew Smith was in an upbeat mood when revealing the 2024 calendar saying: “Our team deliver some of the best event experiences in Europe and we are excited about how we are continuing to improve each one of them. From dozens of penguins supporting runners outside the Bank of England, to helping thousands of riders up a timed climb in the Welsh countryside, our team know how to deliver events that turn already epic challenges into unforgettable one-of-a-kind experiences. We’re hugely excited about our line-up and will be able to share more details as we head into 2024.”
The full 2024 line-up is:
Cancer Research UK London Winter Run 10k | Sunday 25 February
adidas Manchester Marathon | Sunday 14 April
Royal Windsor Triathlon | Sunday 9 June
Dragon Ride | Sunday 23 June
Manchester Half | Sunday 13 October
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