Ella Chadwick joins Olympian Greg Rutherford to celebrate 15 years of Great Manchester Run

Ella Chadwick with Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford

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Ella Chadwick stole the show at the launch to celebrate 15 years of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run, which returns to the city centre on Sunday, 28 May.

The Whitworth nine-year-old was joined by Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford and a host of charity fundraisers to mark the event’s 15th anniversary.

Ella and mum Karen Hughes were at the celebration at Cloud 23 in the city’s Beetham Tower, which overlooks the finish line of the 10k and half marathon, along with invited guests that have all been part of the event’s 15-year history.

They celebrated the milestone year armed with memorabilia ranging from medals to photographs, dating back to the first event in 2003.

The Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run was first staged as a legacy event following the Commonwealth Games, held in Manchester in 2002, and has grown to be the largest of its kind in Europe.

Ella, nine, has been a patient at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital all of her life after she was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, a rare illness which causes kidney failure.

She received a life-saving kidney from her grandmother in May 2014, and even after her transplant, Ella suffered from mobility problems and had to learn how to support herself on her feet.

Ella completed the Simplyhealth Mini Great Manchester Run last year, going over the finish line unaided in what was an emotional scene for all involved. And this year, her mum is joining in too – taking on her first 10K on the Sunday.

Greg, who took time to chat and take pictures with Ella, said: The 10k brings so many different people together from all walks of life. They’re all here for a wonderful cause which is generally raising money for charities, and going through something like a 10k which is very difficult and coming out of the other side with a huge sense of pride and satisfaction - this is a wonderful event.

“It’s something that I’m hugely proud to have been involved with, I’ve started it, I’ve had a thousand high fives which really did hurt but it’s really good fun. I love being invited, I love meeting all the different people. It puts things in perspective.

“My job is a little bit ridiculous, I run and jump into a sandpit, these guys have gone through some adversity in their lives and they have come out the other side and started running.”

James Glover, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Simplyhealth, said: “Ella is a real inspiration and it’s to help and encourage people like her, that we are now the title partner of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run. We have one simple aim: to get millions moving, and that includes those recovering from ill-health, injury or those who have yet to enjoy the benefits of exercise.

“At Simplyhealth we have a passion and a purpose that’s all about helping people to make the most of life through better everyday health.”

Entries for the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k are now open. To enter, visit: www.Greatrun.org/Manchester