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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!
A new restaurant serving seafood boils is opening at Printworks in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Shrimp Shack is set to open its first restaurant outside London this summer, with a new site in Printworks in Manchester.
The new restaurant will be serving seafood boils, as well as huge £19.95 platters, £10 lunch deals, and cocktail pitchers.
Shrimp Shack is set to open in the former Frankie & Benny’s site, beneath Printworks’ dazzling digital ceiling.
The restaurant is already cult-followed with its London locations, where it’s built a solid reputation for generous portions and bold flavours.
Shrimp Shack favourites include various seafood boils, a dish with its roots in the Southern states of the USA, including their shrimp boil, seafood boil, and the lux lobster boil.
Each boil is loaded with shrimp, seafood, sausages, corn on the cob, boiled eggs, spiced rice and peri chips, in the brand’s signature secret sauce.
There’s also set to be a Shack Savers Selection, with five huge dishes (battered fish and shrimps, a 12oz Wagyu steak, grilled salmon with prince shrimps, surf and turf, and grilled shrimp and calamari) priced at just £19.95, including two sides and a choice of sauces.
At lunchtimes, there’ll be £10 dishes like the Sprimp Rich Po’ Boy sandwich, the double cheese smash burger, and a veggie option (or you can upgrade to a lobster roll for £5).
And there’ll be refillable soft drinks, freshly-blended smoothies, milkshakes, mocktails, and sharing pitchers.
Shrimp Shack opens in Printworks this summer, serving seafood boils and platters
Rish Gola, co-founder of Shrimp Shack, said: “Shrimp shack was born in London to redefine how people enjoy premium seafood; served fresh and fast, where bold flavours are brought together with everyday dishes.
“Shrimp Shack has a strong appeal with ethnic communities, family diners, and groups of friends who come together over big flavours and generous seafood feasts.
“Our accessible pricing and high-quality dishes create apremium fast experience that welcomes everyone.”
Dan Davis, general manager at Printworks, said: “We’re delighted to have secured Shrimp Shack as Printworks’ latest tenant, its first location outside of London and another exciting restaurant to add to our offering.
“Shrimp Shack’s unique and distinctive offering is perfectly aligned with our aim to deliver high quality experience-led concepts right in the heart of Manchester.”
Daisy Jackson -
18th May 2022 
