Manchester International to host Emsley Carr Mile

The 2025 edition of this historic race has a home at last – at SportCity on August 30

The mystery of the venue and date of this year’s Emsley Carr Mile has finally been solved. After several months of uncertainty over where and when the famous race will be held in 2025, it has been confirmed as being part of the Manchester International on August 30.

The iconic race dates back to 1953 and features a list of winners that reads like a who’s who of middle distance running, including Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Hicham El Guerrouj, Peter Elliott, John Walker, Dave Moorcroft, Gordon Pirie, Derek Ibbotson, Jim Ryun, Kip Keino and Said Aouita.

In 2019 by World Athletics the race was awarded a Heritage plaque for its historical importance. Among other things, part of its appeal is that all winners must sign a large Emsley Carr Mile book moments after their victory.

At the start of this season no one seemed to know when, or if, the 2025 race would take place. Organisers of the Diamond League in London told AW in April that they were definitely staging a men’s 1500m at their event in July. The British Milers’ Club told AW they did not have plans to host it. There was even talk of it being held at the same University Birmingham meeting that staged the world 10,000m trials in June. However, UKA insisted it would go ahead toward the end of the season although the date and venue has not been clear until now.

In addition to the Emsley Carr Mile, the Millicent Fawcett Mile for women will also be staged at the Manchester International. It does not have such a rich history but former winners include Sifan Hassan, who held the women’s mile world record before Faith Kipyegon.

The Emsley Carr Mile has often been staged at the Diamond League in London, Birmingham or Gateshead in recent years but in 2007 it was held at a BMC meeting in Stretford, whereas in 2023 it was staged at SportCity with Adam Fogg taking the win.

The August 30 meeting is also notable for featuring equal prize money for elite para-athletes and non-disabled athletes.

This year’s event is also no longer a team event, but it will be an individual event and has a World Athletics Challenger permit.

For spectator tickets click here and more info here.

Emsley Carr Mile winners

1953 Gordon Pirie (GBR) 4:06.80 White City
1954 Ken Wood (GBR) 4:04.80 White City
1955 Ken Wood (GBR) 4:05.40 White…