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.
Tom Aspinall is now the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own UFC icon,Tom Aspinall, has been officially named the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Even more miraculously, he did so without even having to face an official title fight against the previous reigning champ.
With the news that legendary mixed martial artist and UFC veteran Jon Jones has decided to finally retire after more than a decade and a half in the sport, Tom Aspinall has now seen his interim heavyweight status upgraded to a full, undisputed world champion.
CEO and President of the league, Dana White, confirmed the decision this Sunday, 22 June, not long after Jon Jones announced his retirement on social media.
The moment Aspinall was named an undisputed UFC champion. You can literally hear the shock in the room when he delivers the update.
After 32-year-old Aspinall famously said, “I’ll retire Jon Jones without even fighting him” back in August 2024, it looks like the famed Salford-born fighter knew exactly how this story would play out.
Despite having long been admired as a pioneer of the sport and one of the personalities who helped put it on the map, Jones has also been heavily criticised for avoiding the Atherton-based athlete in recent years, having even been set a deadline by White to defend his title.
It got to suck a point that the local lad from Wigan even held up a rubber duck to the camera as he poked fun at Jones to millions watching worldwide while sat ringside at UFC London earlier this year.
Seeing Aspinall’s supremacy grow stronger in recent years, it was the fight every fan wanted to see; however, with Jones revealing his somewhat snap decision this week, it looks like they’ll just have to settle for him taking the crown by default.
The result of him hanging up his four-ounce gloves also means that there are now no American male champions in the UFC across all four active divisions for the first time since 2004.
As for Jones, 37, while it hasn’t come as a total shock to everyone given his hiatus (his last fight coming in November 2024 against Stipe Miocic), there were plenty who hoped they would one day see him come against the Manc MMA star.
DANA WHITE MAKES IT OFFICIAL!
Tom Aspinall is the NEW UNDISPUTED UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Jon Jones has RETIRED! 😱🏆 pic.twitter.com/0LSTe088me
Informing the fight world of his withdrawal in a lengthy statement on X, he said: “This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.
“From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.
“I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.” He went on to thank Dana White, his family, coaches and several others for his career thus far.
He also went on to add: “To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage. As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead.
“MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”
Between Aspinall’s dominance at the top of the heavy class and Liverpool’s Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett continuing to make waves in the lightweight division, it looks like the time of not just the UK but the North West might be beckoning.
Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025
Danny Jones
With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.
That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.
Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.
You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.
As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.
In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.
For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…
What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?
Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July
Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.
The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.
Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)
Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August
A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.
The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.
Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)
Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June
But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.
The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.
Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.
Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.
You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.
Danny Jones -
23rd May 2024 
