News

Manchester Marathon 2021 – when it starts, the route, and road closures

Here's everything you need to know.

Alice Gerrard Alice Gerrard - 8th October 2021

The Manchester Marathon and Half Marathon returns on Sunday 10 October.

The 26.2-mile race is the second most popular in the UK and will see approximately 40,000 runners run through the streets of Greater Manchester this weekend.

The marathon and half marathon usually raise over £3 million for charity combined. 

Live coverage of the race will start at 7am, the Wheelchair Elites will start at 10.20am, and the Elites will start at 10.25am. 

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The Manchester Marathon will start between 10.30am – 12.30am, with this staggered arrival aiming to help avoid crowding due to COVID-19 measures, and all runners will be emailed with a time to arrive at the start line. 

Here’s everything you need to know.

The Manchester Marathon and Half Marathon returns on Sunday 10 October / Credit: Manchester Marathon

What is the race route? 

The marathon features a new and improved course this year.

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The start and finish lines are close to Old Trafford stadium near Old Trafford tram stop under the distinctive Trafford arch. The route will continue through Hulme and then a three-mile loop through the city centre before entering Sale which will be a musical stretch as the Salvation Army Band will play. 

The route then takes runners through Altrincham Town Centre before going back to Old Trafford. 

Water, toilets, and first-aid stations will be available along the way.

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Road Closures 

There will be various road closures in Greater Manchester and Cheshire during the marathon.

The Manchester Marathon website has an interactive map here which shows the road closures which you can see here. 

Will COVID-19 affect the marathon? 

There will be some measures put in place this year. Spectators will not be allowed at the start, finish or Athlete’s village.

Hand sanitising stations will be available, and runners will not be required to wear a mask. 

How to get there?

There is due to be a tram driver strike on Sunday too, which could cause severe disruption to runners and spectators getting there. 

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The tram operators are aiming to run a limited service on Sunday subject to driver availability, meaning trams will be busier than normal with race participants will be prioritised, and 22 shuttle buses are being put on from Piccadilly Gardens, and Peel Park and Ride at Event City. 

Runners and spectators are advised to check and plan their journey in advance as roads, and services will be busier and delays are expected, particularly in Trafford and the city centre. 

What to bring 

Taking part in the marathon this weekend? Here’s everything you need to bring.

  • Your race pack and race number, which should have been sent to you prior to Sunday – you will not be able to collect this on the day. 
  • Spare kit and something waterproof. 
  • A pre-booked parking ticket, or tram pass is advised.

Featured Image – Manchester Marathon

News

New cycle lanes and beer gardens closed as Northern Quarter building deemed ‘unsafe’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A section of the new cycleway through the Northern Quarter has been temporarily closed just weeks after opening, after a historic building was deemed to be ‘unsafe’.

Metal fences have now been erected on Thomas Street, blocking part of the cycle lanes and taking over valuable outdoor space for the bars and restaurants along the street.

The building in question stands on the corner of Thomas Street and John Street, once home to the Al Faisal takeaway.

It’s part of a block of 19th century properties in the area that back in 2018 were deemed to be in ”imminent danger of collapse’.

The fencing has been erected around an unsafe building on Thomas Street while scaffolding is built. Credit: The Manc Group

Councillors now say that the Northern Quarter building is unsafe, and will need to be propped up with scaffolding.

The owners of the building want to protect its historic facade but are unable to begin work immediately due to the high construction costs.

But until the scaffolding can be built, temporary fencing has been erected to protect members of the public.

It’s understood that the work will take up to 10 working days to complete.

Several images of the fencing have been circulation on social media, with the NQHQ account tweeting: “If you thought the cycleway through the Northern Quarter was sh*t…..well it just got sh*tter.”

Piccadilly Labour have said: “Building on the corner unfortunately deemed unsafe. Cllr @JonConnorLyons met with the owners who are putting up scaffolding and want to preserve the facade of the building – current construction costs are incredibly high for them to proceed with the development plans this year.”

Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons then added: “Winter weather has made the building vulnerable & cracks have formed which has resulted in the building having to be supported by scaffolding, whilst this happens, these fences have been put up to protect the public. Some reveal in this sort – that is a shame.”

Read more: Manchester City Council defends new cycle lanes through Northern Quarter as they’re branded ‘absurd’

Although the fencing is there in the public’s interest, several local hospitality businesses are concerned about the impact this will have on trade – especially as the fencing has appeared during the heatwave, when punters will be wanting to be outdoors to make the most of the sunny weather.

The Smithfield Social, which is part-owned by the Courteeners’ Liam Fray, has lost a chunk of its outdoor seating – though it does still have space for tables on Edge Street.

A spokesperson for the bar said: “The building works which commenced yesterday have impacted our outside trade significantly.

“We usually have eight tables out the front but after lengthy talks with councils and licensing we have come up with a solution which means we now have a severely reduced area with only four tables.

“The area seems to be an after thought as we are the only business affected by it. Fierce have moved their area but they do not lose any space.

“I have no doubt that we have lost significant patronage because of this, as who wants to sit outside with heavy machinery next to you and dust being blown in your face? Quite unfortunate timing with the great weather we are forecast to have over the coming days.”

The Manc has approached Manchester City Council for comment.

Featured image: The Manc Group

News

New stations appear across Manchester for city’s rentable ‘Burnham bike’ scheme

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The roll-out of Greater Manchester’s Bee Bike cycle hire scheme has stepped up a gear, with new docking stations appearing across the city centre.

The scheme, nicknamed the ‘Burnham bikes’ as a nod to London’s ‘Boris bikes’, initially launched in Salford and along the Oxford Road corridor.

Several new yellow stations have appeared around Manchester now, with plenty more on the way.

The next phase of the roll-out of the Bee Bikes has seen stations installed around St Peter’s Square and Manchester Central.

‘Burnham Bike’ cycle hire stations near St Peter’s Square. Credit: The Manc Group

By the time the scheme is complete, bike numbers will increase to 1,500, which will include 300 e-bikes.

It’s all part of the vision for a Bee Network – a joined-up, integrated public transport network across the region.

And it’s certainly off to a more successful start than Mobike, which famously withdrew from Manchester due to high levels of vandalism and theft.

The Bee Bikes are funded by TgGM and operated by Beryl, which runs similar schemes in London, Watford and Bournemouth.

Richard Nickson, programme director, Cycling and Walking at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cycle hire scheme has really taken off in Greater Manchester since it was first introduced, and we are seeing significant numbers of riders and distances travelled by on the bikes- which is fantastic, particularly as we are still in the early days of the scheme’s roll out.

“The next phase of the roll-out has now started in Manchester city centre, with new stations installed at key locations including Manchester Central Library, Manchester Central Convention Centre and
St Peter’s Square.

Read more: Manchester is OFFICIALLY in the running to host Eurovision

“More stations are due to be installed in Manchester city centre over the coming weeks, before the scheme continues to expand its footprint to new locations in Salford and Trafford.

“Once complete the scheme will see bike numbers increase to 1,500 – including 300 e-bikes – and over 150 new stations in operation.”

To see all the new stations as they appear and find the nearest one to you, you can download the Bee Network Cycle Hire app.

Featured image: TfGM

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