THE ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon will be featured on national television for the first time this year.

A half-hour programme dedicated to the race will be broadcast shortly after the event which takes place on Sunday.

The programme will be filmed by Dream Team Television, one of the UK’s leading production companies specialising in multisport and athletics programming, for Channel 4 and other major broadcasters throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide.

It is expected to have a reach of more than one million people.

Katharine Merry, former English sprinter and Olympic medallist, will present the programme.

This is the marathon's 40th anniversary year.

The programme will also introduce the first Manchester Half Marathon which takes place on October 16. It boasts the same venue as the Manchester Marathon, at Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire County Cricket Club, and another superfast flat course with great entertainment.

Race director Simon Hill said: “It is incredibly exciting to see the 2016 ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon secure terrestrial television coverage. It will put the race in another league and raise awareness among new, international audiences that Manchester is a hub for world-class running events.

"We are already proud of welcoming a strong elite field and expect that our boosted profile will attract more professional athletes as well as first-time runners looking to experience a fast and flat course with fantastic entertainment along the way.

“The television coverage is also a great opportunity to promote the Manchester Half Marathon. We hope that those watching the marathon coverage will be inspired to sign up for the inaugural half marathon in October, and experience all that Manchester has to offer.

“Achieving television status is a wonderful way to celebrate the marathon’s 40th edition, plus it is a great reward for all our sponsors, staff and volunteers who work so hard throughout the year to deliver these quality events.”

There were 15,000 places available for the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon 2016, which was voted the UK’s Best Marathon by runners at the 2015 Running Awards for the second consecutive year.

Visit www.greatermanchestermarathon.com for full race details.

There are 12,000 places are available for the Manchester Half Marathon 2016. Entry is open and the deadline to register is September 20.

Visit www.manchesterhalfmarathon.com for full race details and to enter.