England manager Roy Hodgson is to launch the Great Manchester Run on Sunday 22 May – just a few hours before the Three Lions take on Turkey.
Hodgson has agreed to start the mass participation 10k event just a few hours before his side play the first of three vital warm-up games ahead of EURO 2016.
The England coach will launch the first wave of runners from the start line in Portland Street at 11.30am before returning to the team hotel to prepare for the 5.15pm kick off at the Manchester City Stadium.
Hodgson said: "Manchester has to be one of the greatest cities for sport and it’s fantastic that the England football team and fans can be part of this great weekend of sport on 22 May.
"I’m proud to be the honorary starter of the Great Manchester Run and looking forward to seeing thousands of people cheering and waving as they set off through the city centre. Whether it is football, running or even walking it’s really important that all sports and teams do their bit to encourage people to get outdoors and get active.
"The Great Manchester Run is a great celebration for the city with an amazing atmosphere which we hope to continue into the evening for our crucial friendly with Turkey ahead of the Euros. Hopefully, we can see fans wearing their England shirts either in the 10k or watching from the sidelines as spectators before going along to the game."
Organisers The Great Run Company are thrilled that the national team boss has agreed to support the Run just three weeks before England begin their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia in Marseille, France, on Saturday 11 June.
The Great Manchester Run, broadcast live on BBC One, is set to attract another massive field of up to 40,000 runners. The route takes runners past Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, who play Crystal Palace in The Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley the previous day.
Statistics show that footballers run around 10k in a match so the Great Manchester Run will give participants an idea of what it is like to run that distance, albeit at a steadier pace than the short sharp bursts on the football field.
Tickets are still available for England v Turkey in Manchester and can be purchased via TheFA.com/tickets.
