World champion to go distance for charities

Anthony Crolla.

CHADDERTON-based world champion boxer Anthony Crolla is hot-footing it back from Wembley to lead his hand-picked “army” in Sunday’s Great Manchester Run.

The 29-year-old, who defended his WBA world lightweight title at Manchester Arena earlier this month, is set to dash back up north after watching his Red Army, Manchester United, play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final.

Anthony has chosen 12 runners – one for each round of a professional boxing bout – all with personal reasons for taking part in the annual run.

He and fellow boxer, Callum Smith, are fundraising cash for autism charities and are joined in the field by fighters Jamie Moore, Jamie Davenport and Nigel Travis.

England manager Roy Hodgson – in Manchester for the national team’s friendly against Turkey at the City of Manchester Stadium – will get participants on their way from the start line in Portland Street at 11.30am.

A star-studded celebrity line-up of sports stars, actors and musicians will add a touch of glamour to the 10K event.

This is the 14th year of the Great Manchester Run which will have its 300,000th finisher and is live on BBC2 from 11am to 1pm with highlights on BBC2 at 6pm.

The weekend kicks off from 5pm, on Friday, with the Co-operative Bank Great City Games Manchester as the world’s greatest sprinters dash down Deansgate on a specially-made track.

The long jump featuring London 2012 Olympic champion Greg Rutherford is in Albert Square on the same evening.

The weekend of Manchester sport continues on Saturday with the Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run starting at the Etihad Campus.