The time has finally almost arrived for tens of thousands of Mancs to take to the streets for the Great Manchester Run 2022.
The huge race – both a 10km and a half marathon – will take place on Sunday 22 May, 2022.
The route will once again weave past some of the city’s most beautiful landmarks, with dozens of entertainment zones along the way to motivate runners along to the finish line.
Here’s what you need to know – whether you’re running or just cheering on from the sidelines – for this year’s Great Manchester Run.
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What roads will be closed for the Great Manchester Run?
Several roads in the city centre, including parts of Deansgate, Peter Street, Portland Street and Oxford Street at points over the weekend.
Some streets will close as early as Saturday, too, to allow for access to ready the running route.
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You can see the full list of road closures, and the times they’ll be closed, at manchester.gov.uk.
What time does every wave start running?
The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
The event village and information point will open from 7.30am, ready for half marathon runners to assemble from 8am.
The red and blue waves for the half marathon will start at 8.30am (with a group warm-up 10 minutes prior), followed by the elite wheelchair start at 9am.
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Then it’s over to the main event, the Great Manchester Run 10km race.
Elite women will start at 11.15am, elite men and the orange wave will set off at 11.30am, the white wave at 11.47am, the green wave at 12.30pm, and the pink wave at 12.47pm.
Every group of runners will have their own assembly times and warm-ups too – check here for yours.
How do I get to the Great Manchester Run?
The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
With so many roads closed for the event, the best way to get into town is with public transport.
TfGM will help you to plan your journey, but the closest tram stop to the start line will be St Peter’s Square, or Piccadilly Gardens for some waves.
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It’s also close to Oxford Road train station and only a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly.
There’s a map of the route below to help you get your bearings.
What do I do with my bags and possessions?
The Great Manchester Run. Credit: Supplied
The race organisers have helpfully arranged 18 baggage buses where you can drop your things off before you start running.
There are six for half marathon runners and a dozen more for those taking on the 10km – just fill in the baggage label included in your race pack and secure it to your bag.
You’ll need your run number to access the bus. Runners are advised not to leave valuables in bags, although there are security staff present.
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Route map and entertainment zones
The Great Manchester Run is popular for its fast and flat route – but also for the party that takes place all the way round.
This year’s entertainment zones will spur runners on with everything from water pistol breaks to a live DJ, as well as a new apres-run zone at the end.
The route itself will begin in the city centre before heading out to Old Trafford, along the water at Salford Quays, and back to Deansgate.
Featured image: Supplied
Manchester
Two incredible locals are running all the way from Rochdale to London for a deeply touching cause
Danny Jones
This April, our eyes will be firmly focused on ‘Project240’: the incredible charity challenge being taken on by two inspiring Greater Manchester natives that will see them run all the way to London for a cause very close to their hearts.
And once they’re there, they’ve got one last rather big run to get done, too.
Project240 is being taken on by locals Alex and James, who will be running (you guessed it) 240 miles from Rochdale all the way to the capital before then taking on the 2026 London Marathon.
Staggering stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it becomes an even more moving story when you find out why they’re doing it.
Taking on multiple ultras split across stages on behalf of Springhill Hospice in their hometown, this pair of lads will be cramming in the remarkable distance into less than a week.
More importantly, they’re also hoping to reach a seriously impressive and significant fundraising target of £26,000 for the facility to mark the year and in honour of one very important person.
For anyone unaware of their story, the duo are running in memory of Alex’s father, Darren, who was sadly diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) at the age of 45 back in 2021.
In an effort to give back to the organisation that did so much for his dad and raise more awareness around MND, they’ll be spreading the five ultra-marathons and this year’s major London race across six days, as well as facing the shared struggle head-on with Darren in their thoughts as always.
He sadly passed away on 23 January 2020, spending just a single precious night at the Hospice – one that has left a lasting impression on their family, with Alex saying simply, “I don’t know what we would have done without Springhill Hospice.”
Credit: Supplied
He went on to add: “The care given to my dad and our family was incredible, which made the most traumatic time of our lives that little bit easier.
“Springhill Hospice is a pillar of our community, and we need to do everything we can to keep the doors open.” We couldn’t agree more; both Alex and James have our utmost admiration for what they’re about to take on, and we wish them all the best.
The route – which they will begin on Tuesday, 21 April and are scheduled to complete the following Sunday – will take them from the old Lancashire town, through Buxton, Ashbourne, Hinckley, Old Stratford, before making it all the way to Greenwich and finally London.
Last but not least, you can donate to the fundraiser right HERE.
Featured Images — Handouts (supplied)/Amanuel C (via Pexels)
Manchester
A brand-new Oxfam Vintage store is opening in Manchester – with a treasure hunt to celebrate
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new charity shop showcasing curated vintage clothing is opening in the Northern Quarter this month.
The new concept store comes from Oxfam, promising a more ‘design-led’ approach to pre-loved fashion.
Shoppers will be able to browse hand-picked, quality vintage pieces when the new Oxfam Vintage opens at the end of March.
The new Northern Quarter charity shop will transform the existing Oxfam Originals unit on Oldham Street.
It will feature UK-made fixtures, recycled materials, and large-scale installations using archival Oxfam magazine covers and festival artwork.
To celebrate the launch of Oxfam Vintage, they’ll be hosting a city-wide treasure hunt this weekend.
Giant ‘50% off Oxfam Vintage’ shopping tags will be hidden all over town, inside other Oxfam shops.
Anyone who finds one will be able to redeem the discount in-store once it launches on Friday 27 March.
Matt Burgess-Evans, Head of Store Development at Oxfam, said: “Oxfam Vintage represents a step change in how we present vintage fashion within our retail portfolio.
CGI of how Oxfam Vintage will look
“It was important that the design of the space reflected the approach to the product — creating an environment that supports a more curated offer and highlights the quality and longevity of vintage clothing.
“By presenting pieces in a considered way, the concept encourages customers to see vintage not just as thrift, but as fashion with lasting value.”
Oxfam Vintage opens on Friday 27 March, with the city-wide treasure hunt happening on Saturday 20 March.
Daisy Jackson -
18th May 2022 
