Gorka Marquez says 'I'll take that' as he's reunited with Strictly Come Dancing co-stars amid huge achievement

Gorka Marquez has been seen reuniting with some of his Strictly Come Dancing co-stars away from the ballroom as he completed a very different achievement.

The dancer was among the thousands who headed to Manchester City Centre last weekend to take part in the AJ Bell Greater Manchester Run.

Gorka was seen taking on the half-marathon route alongside Strictly co-star Carlos Gu and rugby star Simon Davidson, who is also his dance partner Karen Hauer's boyfriend.

Meanwhile, Gorka's fiancee Gemma Atkinson also put her hatred for running aside and tackled the 10k route with her pals, with the Hits Radio host and her other half both running for the same cause.

They were trying to raise money for the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, for whom Bury-born Gemma is president, and at the time of writing, they had raised thousands for the good cause.

Gemma previously told how the sanctuary, for which she is president of, needed the cash to help build a new cattery.

Writing on her and Gorka's joint Just Giving page, she said: "With the cat crisis at an all time high in the Northwest we’re building a new cattery at Bleakholt to be able to house and help more cats before they find their forever home.

"Being funded only on donations we appreciate every single penny for this wonderful cause and charity. Thank you so much, Gem & Gorks."

Gorka and Simon completed the Greater Manchester Run's half marathon route(Image: Gorka Marquez Instagram)

Gorka has now given a look at how the race panned out for him in a video shared on Instagram, and it's fair to say things got off to a stressful start, with him and Simon seen running to the start line having had to park a distance away from where the race was taking place.

"First half Marathon completed 1:33:28. I take that," the Spanish star typed alongside his post.

What an awesome day running around the streets of Manchester and raising money for @bleakholt_animal_sanctuary it was such an amazing experience congrats to everyone who took part and massive THANK YOU to all the people cheering along the course.Fun running Along with @sidavidson9 thanks for keeping me on pace & @gkx_carlos thank you for the laughs Ps: next time do what @glouiseatkinson did and [poo emoji] before [crying laughing face and face palm emoji]. @great_run 2026 I am in!"

And the messages of support came flooding in. @lucymaygoodwin said: "Nice one Gorks!! Looking forward to seeing what’s next for you in the world of running." @jobritton.mojo wrote: "You absolutely smashed that!! What a time! Huge congratulations and for all the money you’ve raised too. Inspired."

@andyjomjabs commented: "Wow. That’s really quick. Congratulations." @sally.prince12 replied: "Well done. Amazing time." @gorka_marquez_fan posted: "Well done Gorka!!" @allthingskps_ added: "That's awesome, congratulations."

Gorka was also seen reuniting with his Strictly 2024 dance partner Dr Punam Krishnan as the Morning Live star decided to take on the challenge having not ran before earlier this year.