Two Stockport councillors are putting their feet up after taking on the Great Manchester Run yesterday (Sunday 31 May).

Jon Byrne, who represents the Manor ward, shaved ten seconds off his half marathon personal best after crossing the finishing line in 1h 42m 19s while raising money for Child Bereavement UK.

He tackled the drizzly 13-mile course exactly a year after he took up running using the NHS's Couch to 5k app.

"I was 43 then and just wanted to be healthier," the Labour councillor told Nub News. "I've lost four-and-a-half stone since, so it's definitely working for me.

"I did some running a few years ago, but I joined a local running group this time – the Offerton Community Roadrunners – although I still mainly run solo."

His shorter routes tend to focus on the area around Woodbank Park, while his longer Sunday excursions often take him to Didsbury or up Werneth Low.

It's training that will stand him in good stead for his next challenge: The Tour, a four-day event later this month in Tameside and Oldham that includes the notorious Hell on the Fell.

Although he has already blitzed through his original £250 target, Cllr Byrne will keep his JustGiving page open until the end of June, with his chosen charity being particularly close to home.

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"My dad died when I was 13, so I know how much of an impact death can have on kids.

"It's really important that they, especially, get the kind of support that they need. The NHS is fantastic, but the waiting lists for this type of service can be enormous, but with Child Bereavement UK kids have instant access to help.

"Every pound counts and all money raised will go straight to the charity."

Someone else recovering from their efforts on Sunday is Stockport Council's new deputy leader, Jilly Julian, who admits that her legs are now "absolutely mashed" after the 10k.

The Lib Dem councillor for Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme North completed the race in around an hour-and-a-half, despite coming to it from a totally different sport.

"Picking up heavy weights is my joy. I'm a lifter. I'm not a runner at all.

"Everyone was so supportive. There were a few people who tripped and fell over, but people just stopped to help and pick them back up.

"The crowds were incredible, too, especially in the last stretch, and I've never had so many people shouting my name.

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"I'm in my 50th year now, so I want to make this a healthy new habit. It's just that thing of getting moving a little bit more – you don't have to do a 10k every day."

Cllr Julian ran in aid of Stockport charity, Signpost for Carers, which supports those who look after relatives and friends across the borough.

Although she began raising funds with "no expectations", well-wishers have already donated £500 to her tally, with total donations from other Signpost runners expected to hit the £7,000 mark.

Eighteen members of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust also took to the streets of Manchester at the weekend to raise money for its charity arm.

The charity's manager Kate Leadbeater said: "This is a great community event to bring our colleagues together from across our Trust to improve our health and wellbeing and raise money for a great cause.

"Heartfelt thanks to members fundraising to help us enhance the environment and care for future patients at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

"Every penny will make a huge difference to patients' lives."

Around 40,000 people ran either the 10k or half marathon courses this year, with the 2027 event scheduled for 23 May.

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