As the UK’s second-largest marathon and a major fixture on the European circuit, the Manchester Marathon is an iconic race that attracts a global field of runners to the heart of the North. With a history stretching back to 1908, the event continues to evolve, with the 2026 edition on track to be the largest in its storied history.
The 26.2-mile course is designed for everyone—from world-class elites chasing records to first-timers tackling a distance they once thought impossible. Many athletes choose Manchester for its personal best potential, but it is the legendary, high-energy Mancunian support lining the streets that makes the experience truly unforgettable.
This year’s event promises a fresh look, featuring new mascots, official event shirts, and the 2026 finisher’s medals—the design of which was decided by a public vote. These will all be on full display throughout the day, offering plenty of highlights for both runners and spectators to enjoy.
While the Manchester Marathon brings an incredible buzz to the city, it also involves significant logistical changes and road closures. Whether you’re lace-up ready or planning to cheer from the side lines, here is your essential guide to everything happening on Sunday 19 April 2026.
Manchester Marathon route, waves and timings
The 2026 event introduces the refreshed course layout debuted last year, with the start line at Old Trafford beneath the iconic White City Arch. The race will conclude at the University of Manchester on Oxford Road.
Participants will journey north into the city centre along Deansgate before heading south through Stretford, Sale, and Altrincham. The return leg weaves through Sale Moor, Chorlton, Whalley Range, and Hulme, culminating in a final sprint toward the Oxford Road finish line to collect those hard-earned medals.
While the course is famously flat and fast—making it a premier destination for those hunting a PB—it’s important to remember that road surfaces are rarely perfect. To ensure a safe race, participants should remain vigilant of their surroundings.
Navigational hazards
Keep a sharp eye on the ground to avoid common obstacles such as:
- Potholes and uneven surfaces
- Speed bumps
- Traffic islands and permanent road furniture
Cycle infrastructure warning
As part of the ongoing expansion of Greater Manchester’s walking and cycling network, there is a significant increase in cycle lane bollards and raised curbs along the main roads. These can be difficult to spot in a crowd, so please stay alert to these potential tripping hazards while navigating the route.
Water & nutrition stations
There will be eight water stations conveniently located along the course to keep runners refreshed. High 5 Energy Gels will only be available at Drink Stations 3, 5 and 7, so runners are advised to plan ahead and remember to bring additional hydration and nutrition based on their individual needs.
Runner waves & timings
Runners should already know their wave, but do check before you get to the start line. You can access the full participant guide here. Wave timings are below:
The Finish Line will close six hours after the last runner has crossed the start line (this equates to a pace of approximately just over a 13 minute mile). The roads along the course are re-opened in staggered zones to facilitate roads reopening, so you will need to achieve the minimum pace throughout.
The best places to support as a spectator at the Manchester Marathon
The electric atmosphere of the Manchester Marathon is fueled by its incredible supporters. To help you find the best vantage points, the organizers have highlighted several prime spectator zones. It is highly recommended to meet your runners at these locations rather than the finish line, which will be extremely congested on race day.
Deansgate Interchange
Located at the northern tip of the route, this is a high-energy hub perfect for catching runners early in their journey at the one-mile mark. Its proximity to the city center makes it one of the most accessible zones for fans.
Hulme
This is a strategic double-viewing point where you can cheer your runner at the two-mile mark and return to see them at mile 24 for that crucial final push. Between sightings, you can grab a coffee at the cozy Café Sorrel or head to Kim’s Kitchen and Bar for a livelier vibe.
Stretford
Known as a rising culinary destination, Stretford allows you to see participants twice, first between miles five and six and again just before mile 21. Between races, you can visit the award-nominated Stretford Canteen or enjoy a relaxing walk along the Bridgewater Canal.
Sale
Sale offers a perfect blend of urban energy and suburban charm. Supporters line Cross Street just before mile eight and Broad Road between miles 18 and 19 to lift spirits just as fatigue starts to kick in. It remains a community-focused spot with plenty of local heart.
Runners are also in for an unforgettable boost this year, as The Little B pub in Sale brings high energy, big cheers, and a refreshing twist to mile 17 with its very own Beer Stop Party! At a point in the race where legs are heavy and motivation matters most, The Little B is transforming the course into a wall of noise, celebration, and pure encouragement.
Expect music pumping, crowds roaring, and the team out in full force—ready to hand out small tasters of Thwaites Paradise to runners who fancy a quick, morale-boosting sip before pushing on. Whether participants stop for a quick sip or charge straight through the noise, they’ll be met with cheers, chants, and an electric atmosphere designed to carry them through the final stretch.
Altrincham
As the southernmost turnaround point of the race, Altrincham is where runners hit the halfway mark. It is easily accessible by tram, which drops you right into a festival zone featuring live DJs, choirs, and bands to keep the energy high.
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Expect an electric atmosphere here as runners enter the final effort of the challenge between miles 22 and 23. Wilbraham Road, Manchester Road, and Beech Road offer fantastic dining options, and the nearby Metrolink station makes navigating the area a breeze.
Road closures during the Manchester Marathon
There will be a significant number of road closures in Manchester and Trafford, resulting in extensive bus diversions. Road closures will be in effect along and immediately around the Manchester Marathon route, and those roads in the surrounding area that are open will be very busy so anyone attending the marathon is advised to plan extra time for any journeys they need to take.
From 6am, Saturday 18 April to 4am, Monday 20 April:
- Oxford Road – from Grosvenor Street to Hulme Street
- Rosamond Street West – from Oxford Road to Jenkinson Street
- Booth Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Oxford Road
- Booth Street East – from Oxford Road to Rumford Street
- Dover Street – from Oxford Road to Brighton Place
- Ackers Street – from Oxford Road to Portsmouth Street
- Chester Street – from Oxford Road to Chester Street car park entrance
- Newman Street – from Oxford Road to Loverose Way
- Sidney Street – from Oxford Road to Grosvenor Street
- Grosvenor Street – from Oxford Road to Upper Brook Street
- Cavendish Street – from Oxford Road to Lower Ormond Street
- York Street – from Grosvenor Street to end of street
Sunday 19 April
From 4.30am to 11.59pm
- Oxford Road – from Whitworth St West to Hulme Street
- Wakefield Street – from James Leigh Street to Oxford Road
- New Wakefield Street – from Great Marlborough Street to Oxford Road
- Hulme Street – from Great Marlborough Street to Oxford Road
- Charles Street – from Oxford Road to York Street
- Chester Street – from Chester Street car park entrance to Cambridge Street
- Rosamond Street West – from Boundary Lane to Higher Cambridge Street
From 4.30am to 7pm
- Newman Street – from Loverose Way to Princess Street
- Higher Ormond Street – from Lower Ormond Street to Boundary Street West
- Lower Chatham Street – from Lower Chatham Street to Boundary Street West
- Boundary Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Higher Ormond Street
- Rosamond Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Jenkinson Street
- Higher Cambridge Street – from Cavendish Street to Lloyd Street North
- Burlington Street – from Pencroft Way to Higher Cambridge Street
- Lloyd Street North – from Higher Cambridge Street to Monton Street
- Denmark Road – from Pencroft Way to Aberdeen Street
- Cecil Street – from Denmark Road to Dilworth Street
- Acomb Street – from Denmark Road to Dilworth Street
- Sanctury Close – from Acomb Street to end of close
- Burleigh Street – from Denmark Road to end of street
- Aberdeen Street – from Denmark Road to end of street
From 4.30am to 8pm
- Oxford Road – from Grafton Street to Hathersage Road
- Grafton Street – from Oxford Road to Nelson Street Hospital Entrance
- Nelson Street – from Oxford Road to Hospital Access Road
- Denmark Road – from Aberdeen Street to Oxford Road
From 7.30am to 1pm
- Chester Road – from Chester Road to Deansgate Interchange
- Chester Road – from Deansgate Interchange to Bridgewater Viaduct
- Great Jackson Street – from Chester Road to Silvercroft Street
- Bridgewater Viaduct – from Chester Road to Whitworth Street West
- Deansgate – from Chester Road to Owen Street
- Westbound off slip – from A57(M) to Deansgate Interchange
- Eastbound off slip – from A57(M) to Deansgate Interchange
- Chorlton Road – from Deansgate Interchange to Stretford Road
- Jackson Crescent – from Chorlton Road to Barrhill Close
- Royce Road – from Shawgreen Close to Elisa Street
- Lower Moss Lane – from Chester Road to Bramfield Walk
- Barrack Street – from Chester Road to Tatton Street
- Hulme Hall Road – from Chester Road to Ellesmere Street
- Manson Avenue – from Chester Road to Malt Street
- Malt Street – from Chester Road to Manson Avenue
- Princess Street – from Bridgewater Way to Nancey Street
- Ellesmere Street – from Chester Road to Hulme Hall Road
- Trentham Street – from Chester Road to Dinton Street
- Cornbrook Road – from Chester Road to Dinton Street
From 7.30am to 2pm
- Stretford Road – from Chorlton Road to Talbot Road
From 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Edge Lane – from Kings Road to Wilbraham Road
- Edge Lane – from Wilbraham Road to Kingshill Road
- Ryebank Road – from Daresbury Road to Edge Lane
- Hampton Road – from Daresbury Road to Edge Lane
- Wilbraham Road – from Edge Lane to Albany Road
- Whitelow Road – from York Road to Wilbraham Road
- Manchester Road – from Nicolas Road to Wilbraham Road
- Brundretts Road – from Groby Road to Wilbraham Road
From 9am to 6.30pm
- Barlow Moor Road – from Groby Road to Manchester Road
- Nicolas Road – from Manchester Road to Manchester Road
- Manchester Road – from Barlow Moor Road to Seymour Grove
- Longford Road – from Oswald Road to Manchester Road
- Brantingham Road – from Keppel Road to Manchester Road
- Kensington Road – from Oswald Road to Manchester Road
- Railway Terrace and Buckingham Road – from Clarendon Road West to Manchester Road
- Stratton Road – from Strathmore Avenue to Manchester Road
- Upper Chorlton Road – from Seymour Grove to Chorlton Road
- Sylvan Road – from Upper Chorlton Road to Whalley Road
From 9am to 7pm
- Chorlton Road – from Upper Chorlton Road to Stretford Road
- Stretford Road – from Chorlton Road to Cavendish Street
- Bonsall Street – from Bus Gate to Stretford Road
- Slip Road (Southbound off slip) – from Princess Road to Stretford Road
- Epping Street – from gates to Oxford Court (allowing access) to Stretford Road
- Cavendish Street – from Stretford Road to Cambridge Street
- Boundary Lane – from Stretford Road to Bronte Street
- Burlington Street – from Boundary Lane to Pencroft Way
From 10am to 5.30pm
- Oswald Road – from Kensington Road to Wilbraham Road
One Way Traffic Restrictions
Sunday 19 April
From 3am to 7.30am
- Chester Road – from Chester Road to Deansgate Interchange – Westbound
From 4.30am to 11.59pm
- Great Marlborough Street – from Whitworth St West to New Wakefield Street – Northbound
From 1pm to 3pm
- Chorlton Road – from Deansgate Interchange to Stretford Road – Northbound
- Chester Road – from Chester Road to Deansgate Interchange – Westbound
Motorways
Sunday 19 April
From 6.30am to 7.30pm
- M60 Junction 7, Chester Road – Clockwise and Anti Clockwise slip roads closed
Parking restrictions
5pm, Friday 17 April to 4am, Monday 20 April
- Oxford Road – from Denmark Road to Dover Street
- Ackers Street – from Oxford Road to Portsmouth Street
- Dover Street – from Oxford Road to Portsmouth Street
5pm, Friday 17 April to 11.59pm, Sunday 19 April
- Booth Street East – from Oxford Road to Upper Brook Street
- Booth Street West – from Oxford Road to Higher Cambridge Street
- Rosamund Street West – from Oxford Road to Higher Cambridge Street
- Grosvenor Street – from Oxford Road to Upper Brook Street
- Sydney Street – from Oxford Road to Grosvenor Street
- Chester Street – from Oxford Road to Chester Street Car Park
5pm, Saturday 18 April to 11.59pm. Sunday 19 April
- Stretford Road – from Chorlton Road to Cavendish Road
- Cavendish Street – from Stretford Road to Cambridge Street
- Boundary Lane – from Stretford Road to Burlington Street
- Burlington Street – from Boundary Lane to Lloyd Street North
- Lloyd Street North – from Burlington Street to Denmark Road
- Denmark Road – from Lloyd Street North to Oxford Road
- Nelson Street – from Oxford Road to Barriers
- Grafton Street – from Oxford Road to Portsmouth Street
- Hulme Street – from Oxford Road to Great Marlborough Street
- Charles Street – from Oxford Road to Princess Street
- New Wakefield Street – from Oxford Street to Great Marlborough Street
- Wakefield Street – from Oxford Street to the end of Wakefield Street
11pm, Saturday 18 April to 6pm, Sunday 19 April
- Sandy Lane – from Barlow Moor Road to St Werburgh’s Road/Nell Lane
A map of road closures during the Manchester Marathon can be found below and on the Manchester Marathon website.
Public transport and travel advice
Due to extensive road closures on the day, tram will be the best choice for travel to and from the Manchester Marathon. There are many stops located close to spectating points along the race route, and there’s a walking map below to encourage pedestrians:
You can also follow the Metrolink and Bee Network social media accounts for the most up-to date information regarding public transport: @MCRMetrolink @BeeNetwork
Are there any discounts or freebies for Manchester Marathon runners?
As it goes, yes there are! To reward runners for their incredible efforts, many Manchester establishments are giving out their products for free, particularly those in the official fan zone area. Here are a few places where you can get marathon freebies and discounts:
Stretched MCR
Manchester’s first and only one-to-one clinically assisted stretching studio Stretched is offering marathon runners 25% off a full body stretch throughout the whole of April. Simply book online. Then, show your medal or marathon entry email upon arrival to redeem the offer.
The Grosvenor
Located just moments from the marathon start and finish area, The Grosvenor will open its doors to participants looking to relax and celebrate after completing one of the UK’s most iconic races with entertainment throughout the day and loads of mega giveaways. All runners showing their marathon medal will receive a complimentary pint of BrewDog Cold Beer, the perfect way to toast the achievement of over 26 miles.
Chotto Matte
Chotto Matte Manchester is inviting participants to raise a well-deserved toast after crossing the finish line. On Sunday 19th April, marathon finishers can head to Claude’s Skyview Bar, located at Chotto Matte, to enjoy one complimentary drink in celebration of their accomplishment.
Between 12pm and 6pm, runners who present their Manchester Marathon medal at reception will receive a token redeemable for either one complimentary pint of Manchester Union Lager or one complimentary glass of prosecco.
Nell’s Pizza x adidas x JD
To celebrate the launch of the new adidas EVO SL ATRs, adidas and JD have teamed up with Manchester’s own Nell’s Pizza to provide the ultimate post-race reward for Manchester Marathon runners this Sunday, April 19th. Participants who present their 2026 finisher’s medal at Nell’s Kampus will be treated to a free slice of Nell’s famous NYC-style pizza and a refreshing drink to kickstart their recovery.
After grabbing a bite, runners can immerse themselves in the world of EVO SL by grabbing an exclusive t-shirt and having their official marathon finish time branded on-site. Enter into a range of giveaways, including the EVO SL ATR, adidas merch and a range of prizes and recover in style post-marathon with a live DJ.
BOX Bar
Runners who complete the Manchester Marathon are invited to head to BOX Deansgate, where they can show their medal and enjoy a free pint of Jubel on the house. What better way to end a gruelling yet rewarding marathon day than with an ice-cold glass of crisp fruit lager in an atmosphere where you can sit, eat, relax and soak up the glory?
Motley
To celebrate all the souls who have run like a saint in the 2026 Manchester Marathon, Motley on Deansgate is offering free drinks. A free pint of Motley Brew, a classic craft Pilsner locally produced by Seven Bro7hers Brewery, will be waiting for everyone who shows their medal at the bar. Plus, non-alcoholic Nojitos are available for those more saintly runners.
The offer is valid on 19 April 2026 only, and it is one drink per person who has a medal to show they took part in the Manchester Marathon.
Are there any pre or post marathon events happening?
Hyatt Hotels Manchester will be putting on a whole weekend of events for runners and spectators alike. The weekend will kick off with a carb loading Pasta Party on April 18 at the hotel’s The Laureate Restaurant. Runners can delight in protein-packed Bolognese to antioxidant-rich tomato and basil and delicious pesto and chicken pasta for just £22 per person.
On Sunday 19th April, the day of the big event, Hyatt Hotels Manchester will host the Hyatt Hotels Manchester x Erdinger Garden Party. In the heart of the action, just moments from the finish line, the Hyatt Hotels Manchester garden will be transformed into a hub for family, friends and marathon runners to gather and celebrate the day.
Alongside BBQ classics, fresh salads and refreshing Erdinger beer, the Garden Party will also have a sign making station for guests to create motivational eye-catching signs to help cheer on loved ones during the race.
Circle Square has also announced it will once again transform into a vibrant free Manchester Marathon Fan Zone this April, returning after the huge success of last year’s event.
Located just moments from the marathon finishing line on Oxford Road, the city centre neighbourhood will host an all-day supporters’ hub on Sunday 19th April 2026 from 9am-5pm, bringing together runners, spectators and the wider Manchester community to celebrate one of the UK’s biggest running events.
