The Therme Manchester Marathon will take over the city once again on Sunday, with tens of thousands of runners pounding the pavements between the city centre and Altrincham.
The huge running event – the second-largest in the UK – has now returned to its usual April dates after a bit of a shuffle last year.
Elite and amateur runners will all come together to tackle the 26.2 course, which will also be used for the Commonwealth Games Qualifiers.
The Manchester Marathon is particularly popular because of its flat route that will see many runners gunning for their PB.
To make room for this massively popular sporting event, there’ll be road closures in place across Greater Manchester.
Here’s everything you need to know, whether you’re runner, resident or going along to cheer people on.
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When does the Manchester Marathon start?
The Manchester Marathon is set to take place this Sunday, April 3, though there are different start times for all runners.
The official start wave times are below.
Runners will assemble at the bag drop near Old Trafford Cricket Ground before heading to the start line.
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What is the Manchester Marathon route map?
The city centre section has had to be rerouted slightly due to roadworks (story of Manchester’s life), but the route is still 26.2 miles.
It goes from Old Trafford, through the city centre, then down through Stretford and Sale to Altrincham before it comes back on itself via Chorlton.
There are activity points all the way along the route to spur people on with everything from samba to live choirs to cheerleaders.
What road closures will be in place?
Several roads around the marathon route will be closed on Sunday – both spectators and runners are advised to use the Metrolink to get around at the weekend.
Some streets will close as early as Saturday morning, and remain shut until late on Sunday.
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Make sure you plan ahead before you travel anywhere – there are full maps and helplines on the Manchester Marathon website.
Where to get a well-earned pint after the finish line
There will never be a pint that tastes quite as good as the one you drink after running an entire actual marathon.
You’ve really, really earned that drink (but please do rehydrate on non-alcoholic drinks too).
Cloudwater will be giving away free beer to all finishers at their taproom in the city centre, which is surely enough of a pull to head back into town.
But you’re also only a couple of tram stops away from the brilliant Stretford Foodhall, or there are a handful of fuss-free pubs around Old Trafford itself.
Featured image: Paul Currie, 07796 146931, www.paulcurrie.co.uk
What's On
Pixies to play three Manchester gigs as part of major European tour in 2024
Emily Sergeant
Pixies are heading out on a European tour in 2024, and they’re stopping off here in Manchester for three nights.
After recently playing to intimate Manchester crowds at the relaunch of iconic music venue, Band on the Wall, and to thousands at Castlefield Bowl as part of 2023’s Sounds of the City concert series, Pixies have announced they’ll be making a return to our city once again next year, and they’ve got three gigs lined-up.
The influential and pioneering US alt rock band are set to head out on a tour of some of the biggest cities in Europe tour in 2024, and will be performing a selection of tracks from their hugely-acclaimed albums, Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde – which were released in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Black Francis and co will be taking over Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall for three major gigs on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, and Thursday 14 March 2024.
Bossanova was the band’s third studio album, and was praised by critics for showing their less primal side, with a recurring sci-fi theme running throughout, and surf and space rock influences at the forefront.
‘Alison’, ‘Dig For Fire’, ‘Velouria’, and ‘Cecilia Ann’ were just some of the notable tracks from the album.
Trompe Le Monde, on the other hand, was known for having bookended a run of landmark records for the band, and although it was their fourth album, it’s arguably the most playful in their catalogue – with singles ‘Planet of Sound’, ‘Alec Eiffel’, and ‘Letter to Memphis’ featuring lyrics on UFOs, conspiracy theories, and more to prove Black Francis and co were still restless to push their sound forward.
Both albums are described by critics as sounding just as fresh and relevant today in 2023 as they did when they were released over 30 years ago.
Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991) by Pixies / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Pixies’ celebration of these two iconic albums will see them perform across major European cites such as London, Dublin, Paris, and Amsterdam, as well as Manchester for three nights.
Pixies – Bossanova x Trompe Le Monde Tour 2024
8, 9 & 10 March – Olympia Theatre Dublin
12, 13 & 14 March – Albert Hall Manchester
16, 17 & 18 March – O2 Forum Kentish Town (London)
20, 21 & 22 March – Paradiso Amsterdam
25, 26 & 27 March – L’Olympia Theatre Paris
Tickets to the Bossanova x Trompe Le Monde Tour 2024 are officially set to go on general sale this Friday 9 June from 9am.
Hit Stockport sandwich shop Rack is opening a second cafe in Sale
Georgina Pellant
Stockport’s favourite sandwich shop is coming to Sale, it has been revealed this week.
The small but mighty butty shop is expanding, as owners unveiled plans to open a new cafe and brunch spot inside a former barber’s shop in Sale.
Set to open on School Road later this year, the team will move into a characterful and quirky space in M33 following a full refurbishment.
With a hidden entrance down a side alley and then up a flight of exterior stairs, it might not be the easiest to find but – based on the calibre of butties coming out of their original shop – we know with certainty this will be worth seeking out.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Promising to keep it ‘all things sandwich’, just as they do at the original Stockport shop, on the Sale menu fans of things in bread will be as well catered to as ever with a dedicated grilled sandwich menu, plus staple breakfast butties and regular specials.
That’s not all, though. Given the increased size of the new space, the Rack team is also planning on introducing a new brunch menu – although details are currently being kept under wraps.
Sharing the news with fans online in a post that has been liked over 500 times, the Rack team wrote: “Huge Sandwich & Brunch Announcement.
“We’re opening a brand new sandwich and brunch spot on School Road in Sale M33! Taking over the space that once was a quirky first floor barber shop on the high street – The entrance is down the side alley and up the stairs, it’s got bags of character.
“Swipe to see how buzzing we were to start smashing walls down and see some of the progress. Keep your eyes peeled for progress pics and the menu drop – opening soon!
“We’ll be keeping it all things sandwich but with the addition of a new brunch menu. It’s a much bigger space than the Stockport OG store and we’re very excited!”
Fans have been quick to share their excitement for the new opening, with one person writing: “Down the road from my office? Oh this is great news!”
Another person said: “It’s gonna be a good one! Great addition to Sale after the Foodhall sadly shut. New lunch spot right here!”
A third person added: “Brilliant news. Welcome to Sale!”
To find out more about Rack and keep up to date with the team’s news ahead of the Sale opening, make sure to follow them on Instagram here.
Daisy Jackson -
1st April 2022 
