The Therme Manchester Marathon will take over the city once again on Sunday, with tens of thousands of runners pounding the pavements between the city centre and Altrincham.
The huge running event – the second-largest in the UK – has now returned to its usual April dates after a bit of a shuffle last year.
Elite and amateur runners will all come together to tackle the 26.2 course, which will also be used for the Commonwealth Games Qualifiers.
The Manchester Marathon is particularly popular because of its flat route that will see many runners gunning for their PB.
To make room for this massively popular sporting event, there’ll be road closures in place across Greater Manchester.
Here’s everything you need to know, whether you’re runner, resident or going along to cheer people on.
When does the Manchester Marathon start?
The Manchester Marathon is set to take place this Sunday, April 3, though there are different start times for all runners.
The official start wave times are below.
Runners will assemble at the bag drop near Old Trafford Cricket Ground before heading to the start line.
What is the Manchester Marathon route map?
The city centre section has had to be rerouted slightly due to roadworks (story of Manchester’s life), but the route is still 26.2 miles.
It goes from Old Trafford, through the city centre, then down through Stretford and Sale to Altrincham before it comes back on itself via Chorlton.
There are activity points all the way along the route to spur people on with everything from samba to live choirs to cheerleaders.
What road closures will be in place?
Several roads around the marathon route will be closed on Sunday – both spectators and runners are advised to use the Metrolink to get around at the weekend.
Some streets will close as early as Saturday morning, and remain shut until late on Sunday.
Make sure you plan ahead before you travel anywhere – there are full maps and helplines on the Manchester Marathon website.
Where to get a well-earned pint after the finish line
There will never be a pint that tastes quite as good as the one you drink after running an entire actual marathon.
You’ve really, really earned that drink (but please do rehydrate on non-alcoholic drinks too).
Cloudwater will be giving away free beer to all finishers at their taproom in the city centre, which is surely enough of a pull to head back into town.
But you’re also only a couple of tram stops away from the brilliant Stretford Foodhall, or there are a handful of fuss-free pubs around Old Trafford itself.
Featured image: Paul Currie, 07796 146931, www.paulcurrie.co.uk
What's On
Scare City returns to abandoned North West theme park for another year of terror this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Scare City will be back in the North West once again this Halloween with its spine-chilling immersive horror experience.
After having firmly cemented itself as the region‘s favourite horror event for the past five years running, Scare City has announced that it’s getting ready for ‘another year of terror’ over in Lancashire, and although it may be the middle of summer right now and spooky season is some time off, tickets are currently on sale.
One summer is over, the nights draw in, and the temperatures begin to drop, Scare City will be taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park once again from this September, just as it has done for the past four years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema.
This year’s event is set to feature a selection of terrifying zones.
Scare City returns to an abandoned North West theme park for another year of terror this Halloween / Credit: Jason Roberts (Supplied)
The abandoned theme park will be transformed into a sprawling post-apocalyptic nightmare, featuring new immersive experiences.
Some of the new zones include desolate woodland ‘The Hollow’, and the ‘Puppet Master’, a toy maker’s workshop where innocent toys hide deep dark secrets, as well as the return of a number of familiar spooky spots like ‘The Slaughter House’ and ‘Carnivalley’.
The frightening Abyss is also set to return as ‘Abyss 2.0′, where thrill-seekers’ bravery will be put to the test in claustrophobic darkness, all while they’re unsure of what, or who, might be within reach.
Don’t worry though, if you need a bit of a break from all the terror, then once you’ve made it halfway around the attraction, you’ll arrive at the aptly-named the ‘Resurrection Zone’, so you can take a moment to fuel up on the feast of food and drink freshly-prepared by on-site vendors, all ready for the second half of the harrowing Halloween spectacular.
Scare City 2025 will take over Camelot Theme Park, in Charnock Richard near Chorley in Lancashire, from Thursday 25 September and run until mid-November.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking fee), which allows you to fast-track queues at the main entrance and at all zones, if you just can’t wait any longer to be scared.
Get your hands on tickets via the Scare City website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Stevie Wonder at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Yes, your ‘Superstition’ is correct: an icon is in our midst, because Stevie Wonder is heading to Manchester for a massive headline show.
Grab your ‘Part Time Lover’ and get ready to tell them, ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’; for one night only, theStevie Wonder is coming to town.
Not that this recording artist needs any introduction, but the pop, soul, R’n’B, funk and jazz superstar is well and truly one of the greatest living performers of all time, and his love for the UK and our city, in particular, dates far back.
His other most notable Manc concert took place over a decade and a half ago at AO Arena in 2010, but now he’s back for a debut at our newest and biggest indoor entertainment venue.
This is going to be a very special evening and one that’s likely to have fans ‘Cryin’ Through The Night’.
His career skyrocketed when he burst onto the music scene and the charts by becoming the youngest recording artist to reach the top spot at 12 years old with ‘Fingertips Part II’ in the US back in 1963.
Now, Stevie Wonder is polishing the keys on his glossy piano and warming up his vocal cords to sign, seal and deliver you an unforgettable performance to the 23,500 crowd of Co-op Live.
Stevie Wonder gig guide – all the key info
Stevie Wonder is heading to Co-op Live in Manchester on 5 July.Credit: Supplied
Stevie Wonder UK tour dates
Thu 3 July – Lytham St. Annes, UK – Lytham Green Festival
Sat 5 July – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 7 July – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Wed 9 July – Cardiff, UK – Blackweir Fields
Sat 12 July – London, UK – BST Hyde Park
Stevie Wonder tickets for Co-op Live gig
Of course, Wonder is a household name and securing tickets for someone who’s been soundtracking so many people’s lives from the ’60s to present day means there are a fair few fans of the icon.
However, there are still a handful of tickets left for Stevie Wonder’s upcoming Manchester gig that you can choose from HERE.
There’s even some exclusive premium tickets that will leave you feeling ‘Overjoyed’ ahead of the ‘Love, Light & Song’ show HERE.
Stevie Wonder setlist
The R&B Soul pioneer is known to change up his set lists, but this one below is taken from the Michigan stop of his US tour back in October, and contains most of the tracks you can expect the now 75-year-old hall-of-famer to play.
Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart
As If You Read My Mind
Master Blaster (Jammer)
Higher Ground
You Are My Sunshine
You Are the Sunshine of My Life
For Once in My Life
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
My Cherie Amour
Overjoyed
Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
Feel Like Makin’ Love
You’ve Got a Friend
Something’s Coming
1999
Contusion
Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing
Love’s in Need of Love Today
Village Ghetto Land
Living for the City
Sir Duke
Isn’t She Lovely
I Just Called to Say I Love You
Superstition
My Eyes Don’t Cry
Do I Do
Another Star
Surely has to be one of his best ever, right?
What are the stage times for Stevie Wonder in Manchester?
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11 pm, so you don’t have to worry about seeing ‘Another Star’ appear in the sky; you can be tucked up under the covers before the clock strikes twelve.
There’s no official support act listed for this event, but ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing’ because you’re in safe hands with the ‘Master Blaster’ who’s ready to swoon you over with hits from every decade.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Stevie Wonder takes the stage @TheCoopLive on Sat 5 July.
We have your travel Signed, Sealed and Delivered:
– Trams depart the city centre every six minutes – Etihad Campus is the closest stop – Tram works are taking place, check before you travel Visit: https://t.co/A5MJ5c7Hmbpic.twitter.com/LLpmJ80cyi
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Legendary recording artist Stevie Wonder is heading to Manchester for his ‘Love, Light & Song’ UK tour.Credit: Supplied
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes via the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
1st April 2022 
