It’s time for thousands more runners to descend on the city centre this weekend as the Great Manchester Run returns for 2024, so we think it’s about time for another helpful guide, don’t you?
Last year marked 20 years of the massive Manc event, one of the most well-attended in the country, with record numbers of runners and many famous athletes like Olympic legend Mo Farah taking part.
This year’s Great Manchester Run is set to be just as big and beautiful; the city and the people really are at their very best on days like these, so you don’t want to miss it.
Here’s everything you need to know about the big day.
The route for the 2024 Great Manchester Run
Let’s start off with something pretty simple but rather important: the route for this year’s Great Manchester Run, which is practically the same as it is every year.
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The half marathon route for the 2024 Great Manchester Run (Credit: Great Run)
As you can see above, a broad sweep of the half marathon route sees runners set off from the usual starting line on Portland Street before heading out of the city, up and over Mancunian Way before arriving at the Etihad Stadium and looping back around towards Old Trafford.
After ticking off both football stadiums, participants will turn back and head down the long final straight Chester Road towards the finish line on Deansgate.
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If you’re doing the 10k though, you can basically cross off the visit to Manchester City‘s stadium and the bulk of the incline, but you’ll still head towards Trafford and Salford Quays direction before coming home.
Whether you’re doing that or the full 13.1 miles, you’ll get to pass some of the most recognisable landmarks in the area.
The 10k course
Run waves and start times
The day itself starts nice and early with the official info point opening from 7am before the first groups of runners are welcomed from 8:15am onwards.
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After the elite wheelchair participants set things in motion, the half marathon entrants will obviously set off first before the 10k action gets underway from 11:25. Whether lacing up on the day or cheering on a loved one, here’s when you can expect things to get going.
Now, naturally, when such a huge event with more than 30,000 runners is set to take over the city, not to mention the 100k+ spectators that are expected to line the streets on the day, it’s always going to have an impact on travel.
Those watching on the sidelines are being urged to use public transport wherever possible, with extra trams being put on throughout the day and various other arms of the Bee Network helping people get around the event.
You can also use Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) journey planner as well as their interactive travel map for the day HERE.
Meanwhile, you’ll find the full list of road closures around Manchester down below:
Assembly, bag drops, toilets and race number pick-up points
Once you’ve arrived in the city centre and getting ready for your race, coloured signs will direct participants to the assembly area. The starting points for the various waves are as follows:
Princess Street – Half Marathon – Orange wave / 10k – Orange wave and Purple wave
Charlotte Street – HM – Green wave / 10k – Red wave, Green wave and Pink wave
If you’ve brought baggage with you, the official secure bag drop is located at the main foyer of Manchester Central just between Deansgate and St Peter’s Square, which also opens at 7am. You simply need to fill in a baggage label and then you can leave your bag in the secure zone free of charge.
You should have received your race number in the post, which is needed to enter the bag drop, but if you for some reason have gotten yours or need to pick it up on the day, you’ll have to head to the info point at Great Northern (where you can also find last minute safety pins if you need them).
And regarding toilets, there will be a number of facilities made available to runners before the race along Princess Street, Charlotte St, on St Peter’s Square and near the finish line at Peter St. You will also find portaloos spread across various intervals along the running route itself.
Putting the hard yards in whilst keeping smiles on faces.
Weather (tempting fate here, we know…)
Last but not least, let’s talk weather.
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We promise we’re not trying to jinx it and whenever it comes to Manchester weather, take any kind of forecast with a large pinch of salt but, for now, it looks as though the weather isn’t going to be too bad – at least by our standards.
With a fairly warm morning of around 14C and highs of 17C by 1pm before starting to cool down again from 4pm onwards, you shouldn’t be too warm on the day if the Met Office has it right.
On the other hand, we’ve got to be honest with you: there is a 40% chance of precipitation whilst the runners are getting around the course with the likelihood of rain increasing into the evening – but at least everything should be all said and done by then.
After all, it wouldn’t be a truly Manc running event with a bit of rain, would it?
And that should be just about everything you need to know about this year’s Great Manchester Run and we can’t wait to see the streets packed out with homemade signs and the motivational tunes blasting.
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If you have any more questions or queries regarding the run, whether you’re getting stuck in yourself or just there to cheer on all the wonderful runners, you can download the official app and read the full event guide for 2024 HERE.
Good luck to everyone taking part, you’re going to smash it – and for everyone else turning up to show your support, we want to see your hands clapping and hear your voices in full force, as we’re sure they will be.
A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford
Danny Jones
A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.
Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…
If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.
Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toastreaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.
As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.
We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.
Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.
“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”
Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.
Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.
As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.
Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.
We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.
Featured Images — Peaks and Pubs (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Less than a month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time, with multiple Lionesses and international stars on show.
Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, with the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists both boasting plenty of reason to go into the game confident.
With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at the Etihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.
This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.
Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – theCityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.
The Etihad recently hosted the Lionesses themselves in a close-fought fixture against Brazil this past October, with City legend Georgia Stanway herself getting on the scoresheet.
Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.
Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?
Now both full England internationals are arguably fighting for the same position, too, you can expect the pair to get a rousing reception when they rock up/return to the Etihad.
All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.
Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.
Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…
What does the Manchester derby mean to you?
The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season.
Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?
I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.
It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.
Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.
As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.
Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.
If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.
Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right to see Manchester City Women, Man United, Lionesses stars and more right HERE.
Danny Jones -
23rd May 2024 
