Three-Sy Does It For Azeem In Manchester
BLIND runner Azeem Amir will make it three in a row when he signs up for next year’s Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.
The 18-year-old, from Sudden in Rochdale, took on last month’s event in aid of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital – and will once again be recruiting a team of runners to join him on the 10KM course when it returns for 2018.
Azeem was born with no sight in his right eye and slight light perception in his left eye but has never let this act as a barrier in life and runs with his old PE teacher Sam Hinchliffe as a guide.
The event took on greater significance this year owing to the terror attack in Manchester six days earlier, which led to thousands taking part in tribute to the city.
And Azeem, who took on his first Great Manchester Run in 2016, said: “I loved it this year, it is always an amazing event and one of my favourite days of the year.
“It was even more meaningful this year due to the sad events that occurred the week before but everyone completed the run safely and that was the most important thing.
“I’m definitely hoping to do it next year with the aim being again to inspire as many people as possible to get active and give running a go.
“There’s no better way to start than training for the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run and doing it on the day.”
Azeem is an ambassador for many disabled organisations across the region and is also a talented blind footballer currently playing for Merseyside Blind FC and is on the FA’s England Emerging Talent Programme with the aim of representing his country in the future.
He aims to be selected in the Great Britain squad for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
How To Enter
Europe’s biggest 10K, which was accompanied by a half marathon for the first time in May, returns to the city centre of Manchester on Sunday, 20 May, 2018, with entries for both distances open now.
The 10K and half marathon both start on Portland Street, the half marathon plots a course to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, before heading west to Manchester United’s Old Trafford, where it picks up the 10K route back into the city centre, finishing on Deansgate alongside the iconic Beetham Tower.
To enter, visit greatrun.org/Manchester
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