Putting Community at the heart of Running: Sports Tours Partners with Manchester Run Club

Sports Tours has partnered with Manchester Run Club (MRC) to help members of one of the country’s largest running communities see the world through running.

There has been a significant rise in running clubs since the pandemic, with people choosing in-person connections over online interactions. In fact, run clubs have become a hugely popular way to meet people through regular runs and social hangouts afterwards.

Sports Tours is now offering MRC runners the opportunity to explore the world through running, coordinating a bespoke trip to the Barcelona Half Marathon in February next year.

MRC run leader, Rich Tyrrell, said: “We are particularly excited about our 2025 schedule, which includes some key runs in Manchester and our first club trip abroad to the Barcelona Half Marathon with Sports Tours International. Looking ahead, we are excited to keep growing and supporting our running community in different ways.”

MRC started in 2023 after a few friends connected during lockdown to stay healthy and social. What began as a small Strava group quickly grew, and now MRC welcomes over 200 runners weekly across various pace groups, ranging from 4:30 per km to 7:00 per km.

MRC, like Sports Tours International, is about making running accessible to everyone. “We believe it’s not about running the fastest time; it’s about running together to achieve your goals and having fun along the way!” added Rich.

MRC offers more than just running, hosting 5Ks and social events for their members. The club’s run leaders, find it incredibly rewarding to see others making progress, whether by improving their running times or making new friends.

Some of the most inspiring stories come from those who had never run a 5K before joining MRC but, after just a few weeks, see their consistency and hard work pay off as they complete their first 5K.

MRC participated in the official Manchester 10K as a group, complete with a cheer zone and a full day of celebrations from start to finish. The event marked the culmination of 12 to 16 weeks of training, with members supporting each other throughout and celebrating their achievements together.

Now, with the partnership with Sports Tours, MRC is excited to help runners take the next step in their journey – from a 10K to a major city half marathon abroad.

With Sports Tours International and MRC teaming up, runners now have the chance to combine their passion for running with their love of travel. The Barcelona Half Marathon marks the beginning of many exciting opportunities ahead. Check out our range of running travel packages or get in touch and arrange your group running getaway.