Ella Chadwick to run in the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run

Ella Chadwick at the 2017 Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run

Scroll down for Video

Returning for a 17th year, the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run gives runners the chance to experience an event like no other in the heart of the city centre, with 10k, half marathon, junior and mini courses.

Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, said: “Since the first event in 2003, over 300,000 people have crossed the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run finish line on Deansgate."

Ella Chadwick, a charity fundraiser and Pride of Britain winner was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, a rare illness which causes kidney failure. Ella survived 40 gruelling operations in the first six years of her life before having a lifesaving kidney donated from her grandmother. She has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Ahead of the upcoming 2019 event, the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run has worked with runners and well-known Manchester faces to create a film showcasing the inspirational poem, Do Something, by the much-loved Mancunian poet Tony Walsh.

The poem, which was created specifically for Manchester’s most loved running event, embodies the universal feelings of ambition, motivation and celebration experienced by those who take on the challenge.

TV stars Julie Hesmondhalgh and Tony Audenshaw, DJ and musician Clint Boon, and 11-year-old Pride of Britain winner Ella Chadwick all feature.

Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run takes place on Sunday 19 May, entries are now open:

• www.greatrun.org/great-manchester-run

Simplyhealth Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run:

• www.greatrun.org/great-manchester-run/junior-and-mini-great-manchester-run