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
Police search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.
Alice Gerrard -
8th October 2021 
