A CEREBRAL palsy sufferer completed the Manchester half-marathon yesterday, as the event returned to the streets of Manchester.

Patrick Barden, a 24 year old football coach from Kent who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, was completing the thirteen mile course to help raise funds for the charity organisation, ‘Stand and Learn’.

He completed the half marathon splitting the thirteen miles up over the weekend to stop his muscles from seizing up. He completed ten miles split over Friday and Saturday and crossed the finish line after tackling the final three miles during the main event on Sunday.

He has helped raise funds before doing different events such as a parachute jump and he also completed the London Marathon raising £23,000 earlier this year.

Patrick spoke to the Manchester Evening News before the event took place stating that without the help of ‘Step and Learn’, he would never have had the chance to do some of the things he has done for the charity and it would have limited his opportunities in the future.

Patrick also said to the MEN, “It will be great to have the motivation and support of the crowd to help get me round, and I can’t wait to claim my medal.”

Patrick was supported well by the people of Manchester as he took on his final three miles on Sunday and crossed the finish line with a huge smile across his face.

Thousands of participants took to the roads around Manchester, Trafford and Salford to complete the thirteen mile course.

The half marathon which is organised by Xtra Mile Events and the Trafford Council, started at Bridgewater Way with all athletes crossing the finish line outside Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Elite athletes and runners were hoping to reach a personal best times for the half marathon and to also help raise money for many different charities.

See the 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners below.

Men’s Race Positions and Times:

1st – Luke Traynor – 1 hour 4 minutes 8 seconds

2nd – Peter Hucks – 1 hour 5 minutes 3 seconds

3rd – Matt Clowes – 1 hour 5 minutes 11 seconds

Women’s Race Positions and Times:

1st – Rebecca Hilland – 1 hour 15 minutes 40 seconds

2nd – Julie Briscoe – 1 hour 18 minutes and 51 seconds

3rd – Sarah Mackness – 1 hour 20 minutes and 56 seconds

Adam Goldspink-burgess of Harlow Athletics club was the first wheelchair participant home in a time of one hour and thirteen minutes.

See Luke Traynor’s exceptional win below:

For more details on all the participants positions, times and athletics clubs details, visit the results page.

Nick Rusling, CEO of the ASICS Manchester Marathons and Half Marathons said, “We call it the friendliest half marathon and today it did not disappoint. It has been a fantastic event”.

Here is what Nick had to say about Sunday’s events,

“The crowds have been out supporting this morning. We’ve had more than 10,000 participants. It’s been brilliant. I love it”.

The half marathon was also an added support to the ‘WeStandTogether’ campaign where all participants were given a wristband bearing the slogan for Manchester.

The event has already being organised and prepared for next year with the date being confirmed just after the runners crossed the finish line yesterday.

The Manchester Half Marathon will take place on October 14th 2018.

To enter next year’s race, you can visit the website.

And if you would like to help Patrick Barden raise more funds for Cerebral Palsy, you can donate here.

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