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.
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.
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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
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre reportedly confirmed
Emily Sergeant
The temporary location for the new Number 10 North project has been announced.
You may remember that earlier last month, it was revealed that Andy Burnham had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, and now that he is, more details on this move to Manchester have been revealed.
Number 10 North is expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it’s officially up and running, Government ministers say.
According to BBC News reports, civil servants working for Government departments based in London have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move to the northern base in Manchester, which is said to be being overseen by cabinet minister and ally of Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh.
The temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre has reportedly been confirmed / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Haigh – who is the first secretary of state – has reportedly been asked, according to the BBC, to have been asked to lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will give her control of key decision-making bodies across Government.
The OPMC will include No 10 and No 10 North, as well as other teams within the Cabinet Office.
It is understood, according to the same BBC reports, that the initial temporary location of No 10 North will be Heron House, just off Albert Square in central Manchester, which is the same building that currently houses offices for the intelligence service GCHQ, and where eyewitnesses have spotted police officers guarding in recent days.
🚨 NEW: No 10 North will temporarily be based at Heron House in central Manchester
Whitehall civil servants have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move pic.twitter.com/BVyUkNfxRr
The longer-term base for Number 10 North, however, is expected to be at the new Government ‘Digital Campus’, which is currently under construction in the Ancoats and is not due for completion until 2032.
Alongside Whitehall officials who are willing to move to Manchester, it is also likely there will be a significant movement of staff from Burnham’s former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the BBC reports.
You can discover more about the plans for Number 10 North here.
Alice Gerrard -
8th October 2021 
