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Manchester Pretty Muddy 5k 2023

A man and a woman wearing pink t-shirts crawling through a big puddle of mud

Manchester Pretty Muddy 5k

Saturday 1 Jul 2023

£22.49 Adults | £12.00 Children
Minimum fundraising target: £50

Date: Saturday 1 Jul 2023

Time: from 11:00

Venue: Heaton Park

Life is worth Racing for. Enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and raise money for life-saving cancer research.

About Pretty Muddy

Pretty Muddy pink circle icon

Climb, crawl and slide your way around the Pretty Muddy® obstacle course at your own pace.
5k is just over 3 miles and can take about an hour to complete on average, but there's no pressure to finish in a certain time – it's all designed for fun!
Get muddy as an individual or with a group of friends or family, act like a big kid and raise money for life-saving cancer research.

Location

Venue
Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0DL View map

Course information

The start gantry is on grass and the finish gantry is nearby on a hard standing path. The event site is entirely on grass which is generally quite flat, however, ground conditions may vary according to recent weather conditions. There is a tarmac path running around the perimeter of the event site. 


The course is a combination of grass, surfaced paths and woodland trails. The course features various elevations including sloping downhills and uphill gradients which all add to the fun and challenge. 


The course design is a 5K single lap 


There will not be any water refill stations along the course so if you require water during the event, please remember to bring your own reusable water bottle already filled up.  A Scottish Power water refill station will be available to use at the finish 

Please arrive 15 to 20 mins before your start time so that you are prepared and ready to go on time.


 

Join forces or go solo

Pretty Muddy participants having fun at events
You can take part in any Race for Life event as an individual or a group to raise money for life-saving research. Walk, jog or run together in a group or go solo at your own pace, or lead the way as a Group Leader and get family, friends and colleagues involved! However you choose to get muddy, you’re helping to beat cancer.
 
 

Warm up with other Race for Lifers

Shake off any pre-Race nerves and get moving with our fun warm-up session just before your event.
 

Supporters and spectators welcome

Bring along as many supporters as you like to cheer you on! We’ve got things for everyone to do, check out the Location section above to see what’s happening on the day.
 

Soak up the atmosphere

After you've completed the course, stay on and celebrate with other participants, friends and family with a picnic in the park.

Your entry fee covers the cost of your event, but your fundraising helps us save and improve lives. Join the celebration, join the family, and join the thousands helping to raise the money we need to power Cancer Research UK’s biggest discoveries.

Event details

Once you sign up for your Pretty Muddy® event, you'll receive an email with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.

Meeting point

The meeting point and start line are in the centre of the park in an area referred to as 'The Bowl'. This is located between the Tram Museum and Boating Lake. The finish line will also be within the similar vicinity.


If using what3words, enter ///bind.crowd.direct in the free app, to find the exact starting point


Please listen out for your start time to join in front of the stage for a warm up and instructions 

Pedestrians: The closest entrance to the event site for pedestrians is via the ornamental gates on Middleton Road, follow the path straight ahead past the tramway to reach the event site


General Event Parking: Event Parking is available at the Lakeside Car Park on Sheepfoot Lane. Traffic Managment will be in place to help direct you. Manchester City Council operate a Pay & Display system please ensure you arrive within plenty of time to purchase a ticket using cash at the machine or via the PayByPhone App . Charges are priced at an hourly rate or £3 all day.  Please adhere to the one way system and 5mph restrictions at all times. From this car park it is is 5 min walk to the event site on a flat surfaced path.


Blue Badge Parking: Disabled parking is availble at the Lakeside Car Park, and at another car parks within the venue. Please adhere to the one way system and 5mph restrictions at all times. From Lakeside Car Park it is is 5 min walk to the event site on a flat surfaced path.


Volunteer Parking: Volunteer parking is the same as general event parking. Please refer to this section more info.


Public Transport: The nearest metro station is Heaton Park. Trams run regularly from the City Centre and other destinations. Please note, there is a 1KM walk, following surfaced paths, from the tram stop to the event site


Bus: The nearest bus stop to the event site is Victoria Avenue, from here you can access the venue via the ornamental gates on Middleton Road and follow the path straight ahead past the tramway to the event site


Train: The nearest train stations are in Manchester City Centre, located 6 miles away 


Electric Charging points: Not available at the venue 


Cycling & Bike Racks: Are availble at the Farm Centre, this is a 5 min walk from the event site 

No dogs allowed
Not suitable for pushchairs
Not wheelchair accessible
Toilets
No bag drop
Refreshments
No showers
Parking

Due to the nature of the event it is not suitable for wheelchair users.  However If you require any further information on the accessibility of a Pretty Muddy event, or wish to bring a carer/assistant to accompany you or if you need to bring a guide runner, please contact our Supporter Hotline on 0300 123 0770 and press 1 when prompted (Opening hours are 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday) or email us at raceforlife@cancer.org.uk (standard)

If you aren't sure whether Pretty Muddy is right for you, take a look at the obstacles and make up your own mind, please visit our website https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/about-our-events/pretty-muddy/obstacles

We aim to have a British Sign Language Interpreter  available on stage whilst our event host is speaking 

If you feel you might need extra help at the event please do pick up a  badge at the Blue Enquires Marquee so that our crew and volunteers can look out for you and check you are OK.

 

Bring a water bottle
We’re trying to reduce single-use plastic at Pretty Muddy. Please bring your own reusable water bottle, already filled. We'll provide an ecofriendly water-refill station at the finish that uses as little single-use plastic as possible.

Bring a change of clothes
If you’re getting Pretty Muddy®, remember to bring spare clothes and a towel. Check the facilities tab above to see what there is at your event. Unfortunately, there are no lockers, changing facilities or showers at the Race for Life events, so please bear this in mind and ask friends to look after your valuable belongings, clean clothes and towels.

Have the right kit
It’s a good idea to check the weather before your event and dress accordingly. Think breathable sports gear (leggings and shorts are ideal) and well-fitting trainers. For Pretty Muddy, wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.
Check out the latest range of Race for Life clothing and accessories in our online shop.

Be sun smart
Stay sun safe by finding shade when you’re not on the course and covering up with clothes, a hat and sunglasses. On parts you can’t cover, use sunscreen with at least SPF15 and a 4 or 5 star rating. Find out more about being sun smart.

Your back sign and race number
Remember to bring your back sign and Race number which will be sent to you in the post – don’t forget safety pins so you can attach them to you.

Pretty Muddy® events start times are staggered in 'waves', each wave starts every 15 minutes to ensure you're safe on the course. If you're signed up as a group, please make sure you sign up for the same wave time.

Climb, crawl and slide your way around the course at your own pace. We want you to tackle every obstacle the best you can, but if you need to skip to the next one our marshals will be on hand to assist. Find out more about Pretty Muddy® obstacles.

To be part of the action, you must be 13 years of age or older at the time of your event. We've got something special for our young participants too - check out our Pretty Muddy® Kids events for kids aged 12 and under!

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please seek your doctor's advice before registering.

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