The Manchester Half, the largest half marathon in the North West, has come around once again, taking place this Sunday 12th October. Key information for participants and supporters has been released ahead of event day, with over 26,000 people set to take part in the 13.1-mile challenge, marking the third and final year of the popular ‘Express Yourself’ campaign.
The event is expected to raise £1.5 million for charities, with thousands running in support of Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK and The Christie. We’ve put together a guide for the day, so whether you’re running yourself or supporting the people closest to you, you’ll be well prepared.
Manchester Half Marathon route, waves and timings
Route & bag drop:
Access to the start process is adjacent to Trafford Town Hall. Those wishing to use bag drop should enter the Lancashire Cricket Club via Gate 5 and 10 – marshals will direct participants to the start line from both locations.
On the route, participants will head towards the city before looping back, passing through Stretford, Sale, Chorlton-cum-Hardy and the finish line on Talbot Road.
Timings:
- Elite wheelchair participants will set off first at 8:55am
- Elite wave 9am
- Participants will set off in roughly 10-minute intervals, depending on their allocated wave colour, until 10:48am.
Drink stations & toilets:
There will be four drinks stations along the course. Isotonic Energy Gels from Applied Nutrition will be available at the second and third drinks stations.
Toilets are located at each water station as well as at the Event Village.
The best places to support as a spectator at the Manchester Half Marathon
Supporters are encouraged to cheer loved ones from along the course rather than at the start and the finish areas where access is limited – find out how to track a participant here.
Mile one
The re-named Deansgate ‘Inter-rave’ – located at Deansgate Interchange – will allow spectators to soak up the atmosphere at mile one, with a Cybertruck DJ and ‘Kick-off Cam’ showing live starts.
At Wharfside, the ‘Buzz Hub‘ will enable spectators can see participants twice on their journey past the iconic Old Trafford stadium, before heading toward Stretford. There will also be inflatable dancing bees and a DJ.
Other prime viewing spots include:
- Stretford
- Sale
- Chorlton-cum-Hardy
The Event Village
The Event Village at Lancashire County Cricket Club will also have a large screen showing live finish line coverage, as well as food outlets and activities from partners for everyone to enjoy.
It is highly recommended that supporters avoid going directly to the finish line, where viewing will be limited due to large crowds and one-way systems. Supporters are advised to agree a meeting point with their participant in advance, with recommended areas including:
- Deansgate
- Chorlton
- The Event Village
- MUFC Café
- Gorse Hill Park
- White City Retail Park
Road closures during the Manchester Half Marathon & how to get around on the day
Road closures will be in effect along and around the half marathon route starting from Saturday 11th October. Those affected should allow extra time for journeys as open roads in the surrounding areas will be busy – many bus services will also be diverted due to these closures.
Road closures on Sunday 12th October:
- Bridgewater Way/Chester Road – Deansgate Interchange to White City Circle: 6.30am-3pm
- M60 Junction 7 clockwise and anticlockwise slip roads – A56 Chester Road to M60: 6.30am-5pm
- Chorlton Road – Royce Road to Deansgate Interchange: 7.30am-12.30pm
- A57 (M) Eastbound off slip – A57 (M) to Deansgate Interchange: 7.30am-12.30pm
- A57(M) Westbound off slip – A57 (M) to Deansgate Interchange: 7.30am-12.30pm
- Chester Road – Deansgate Interchange to Deansgate (Whitworth Street): 7.30am-12.30pm
- Great Jackson Street – Chester Road to Silvercroft Street: 7.30am-12.30pm
- Deansgate – Deansgate to Owen Street: 7.30am-12.30pm
- Deansgate – Chester Road to Whitworth Street West: 7.30am-12.30pm
- Lower Moss Lane – Chester Road to Bramfield Walk: 7.30am-3pm
- Barrack Street – Chester Road to Tatton Street: 7.30am-3pm
- Hulme Hall Road – Chester Road to Ellesmere Street: 7.30am-3pm
- Manson Avenue – Chester Road to Malt Street: 7.30am-3pm
- Malt Street – Chester Road to Manson Avenue: 7.30am-3pm
- Princess Street – Bridgewater Way to Nancy Street: 7.30am-3pm
- Ellesmere Street – Chester Road to Hulme Hall Road: 7.30am-3pm
- Trentham Street – Chester Road to Hulme Hall Road: 7.30am-3pm
- Cornbrook Road – Chester Road to Dinton Street: 7.30am-3pm
- Upper Chorlton Road – Seymour Grove to Eggerton Road North: 7.30am-4pm
- Seymour Grove – Manchester Road to Upper Chorlton Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Wilbraham Road, Chorlton – Edge Lane to Albany Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Oswald Road, Chorlton – Vincent Avenue to Wilbraham Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Whitelow Road, Chorlton – York Road to Wilbraham Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Manchester Road, Chorlton – Wilbraham Road to Car Park Entrance: 7.30am-4pm
- Brundretts Road, Chorlton – Groby Road to Wilbraham Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton – Groby Road to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Nicolas Road, Chorlton – Barlow Moor Road to Seymour Grove: 7.30am-4pm
- Manchester Road, Chorlton – Barlow Moor Road to Seymour Grove: 7.30am-4pm
- Selbourne Road, Chorlton – Manchester Road – Keppel Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Longford Road, Chorlton – Oswald Road to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Brantingham Road, Chorlton – Keppel Road to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Claridge Road, Chorlton – Manchester Road to Oswald Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Ransfield Road, Chorlton – Manchester Road to Oswald Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Kensington Road, Chorlton – Oswald Road to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Cheltenham Road, Chorlton – Manchester Road to Oswald Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Railway Terrace and Buckingham Road, Chorlton – Clarendon Road West to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Macauley Road, Chorlton – Manchester Road to Crimsworth Avenue: 7.30am-4pm
- Stratton Road, Chorlton – Strathmore Avenue to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Woodside Road, Chorlton – Stratton Road to Manchester Road: 7.30am-4pm
- Edge Lane, Stretford – Kings Road to Wilbraham Road: 8am-3.30pm
- Edge Lane, Stretford – Kings Road to Kingshill Road: 8am-3.30pm
- Ryebank Road, Chorlton – Daresbury Road to Edge Lane: 8am-3.30pm
- Hampton Road, Chorlton – Daresbury Road to Edge Lane: 8am-3.30pm
One-way traffic restrictions on Sunday 12th October:
- A56 Chester Road/Bridgewater Way – Deansgate Interchange to White City Circle: 3am-6.30am
- A56 Chester Road/Bridgewater Way – A56 Deansgate Interchange to Edge Lane: 2pm-3pm
Bus diversions:
As buses will be disrupted by road closures, those arriving in Manchester by train are advised to take the tram to the Event Village. These bus diversions will be in place on the day:
- 5A
- 5B
- 15
- 23
- 25
- 41
- X50
- 53
- 79
- 85
- 85A
- 86
- 150
- 245
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 255
- 256
- 263
You can find out the diversions these services will be taking here.
Metrolink trams:
The tram network will allow best access to and from the event. For a quieter journey, the Imperial War Museum stop is a 15-minute walk to the Event Village. The closest tram stations are Old Trafford (a three-minute walk) and Trafford Bar (a 10-minute walk), but these will be very busy and may have queues.
Driving:
Participants are advised to avoid driving to the event due to congestion. For those who do plan on driving, there is no official parking, but Manchester United Football Club has prepaid parking spaces available for £18 when booked in advance.
Are there any freebies or discounts for Manchester Half Marathon finishers?
Of course!
A Medal for Margherita at Circolo Popolare
On Sunday 12th October, show your medal and enjoy a free Pizza Margherita plus choice of an ice-cold beer or a refreshing virgin cocktail. Relax, toast to your miles, and let Circolo Popolare‘s squadra craft your runner’s premio!
Free fizz at the Refuge
The Refuge on Oxford Street is swapping the usual post-race pint for something a little more sparkling, as they raise a glass of prosecco to all Manchester Half Marathon runners. On Sunday 12 October, participants can head to The Refuge after the race to claim a well-earned glass of prosecco – available to the first 100 finishers on a first-come, first-served basis.