This Sunday morning, thousands of runners - as well as thousands of spectators - will head to the streets of Manchester to take part in the Manchester Marathon.
Taking place on Sunday, April 16, The 2023 adidas Manchester Marathon is the second largest marathon in the UK by distance and one of the top five most popular routes in Europe. This year’s event is set to break records for numbers for attendance, with 28,000 people expected to take part.
Of those, there will be a Paralympic qualification attempt, live artwork being created in the event village and a world record attempt to create the longest crochet chain while running a marathon. A host of elite runners including Olympians and International athletes will also be vying for the podium spots including Olympian Robert Mullet and 2022 second-place finisher, Naomi Mitchell.
Read more: Things to do in Greater Manchester in April
With a long history dating back to 1908, the annual event has become a destination for runners from all over the country who are looking to secure a personal best. Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 adidas Manchester Marathon.
When is the Manchester Marathon 2023?
The Manchester Marathon takes place this Sunday, April 16. Entrants will run 26.2 miles through the city centre as well as Altrincham, Trafford and Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.
The event raises millions of pounds for charity, including The Christie and Cancer Research UK, and the British Heart Foundation.
How do I collect my participant pack?
The majority of runners will receive their pack in the post ahead of the event. The pack contains a bib, timing chip and participant number. In the welcome pack there will be a numbered bib, which is unique to each participant. This number must be attached to your outside garment on your front.
For those who doesn’t receive their pack in advance, pack collection will take place at The Holiday Inn, Manchester, on Saturday, April 15. More information of where to collect your pack on Saturday will be released in the days prior to the event.
How do I get to the event?
Public transport is recommended over driving as there will be a number of road closures in place. The Metrolink is the quickest and easiest way for both runners and spectators to get to the start of the event.
The Old Trafford tram station is ja one-minute walk from the start line, but there are other nearby options too including Trafford Bar 0-minute walk) and Imperial War Museum (20-minute walk).
If you are travelling from outside Manchester by railway, it is recommended to use either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria stations.
However, if driving is your only option, there are over 100 park and ride locations in Greater Manchester, with further information on the website. In terms of parking, Manchester United FC have a limited number of car parking places available to pre-book at a cost of £12. These spaces must be secured in advance and will not be available to pay for on the day.
What time does it start?
Runners will be asked to make their way to the start access area, located on Talbot Road, roughly 30 minutes before their estimated start time. Bag drop is located at the event village so runners are advised to consider that when planning their timings.
The colour of your running bib relates to what time you will start your race. Elite wheelchair participants will set off first at 8:55am, while the Elite and White-bib waves will be next at 9:00 am.
Red A will set off at 9.10am, Red B at 9.20 am, Pink A at 9.30am and Pink B at 9.40am.
Blue A will set off at 9.50am, Blue B at 10am, Orange A at 10.10am and Orange B at 10.20am.
The Yellow A wave will set off at 10.30am, Yellow B at 10.30am, Purple A will set off at 10.50am, while the last wave, Purple B, will set off at 11am. More information about start times can be found on the Manchester Marathon website.
What is the route?
In 2021, a new section of the route was introduced including city landmarks such as Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel. The city centre section was slightly reduced for 2022 due to extensive roadworks taking place.
The 2023 course is virtually the same as last year's route, starting from the Trafford Arch, and heading past Old Trafford towards Upper Chorlton Road past Hulme and towards the city centre. Runners will then loop back towards Stretford on Bridgewater Way leading to Chester Road and Cross Street.
The course then takes participants via Sale, Timperley and Altrincham before looping back round to Baguley and Sale Moor, onto Chorlton-cum-Hardy and back to Old Trafford, with the finish line on Talbot Road.
Are there any road closures?
As expected for an event of this size, road closures will be in effect along and around the Manchester Marathon route. Those roads in the surrounding area that are open will also be very busy so participants and spectators are asked to plan extra times for any journeys, and many bus services will also be diverted due to the closures.
Locals have also been warned that roads will be closed from 3am on Sunday, with roads reopening from 2pm as the marathon finishes up. The last road closure is expected to be re-opened at 8pm through Chorlton and Old Trafford towards the end of the course. However, a stretch of Talbot Road will be closed from 10am on Saturday and won't re-open until midnight on Sunday.
Organisers have shared an interactive map below for road closure information, and temporary vehicle crossing point details.
Where to watch?
For those wanting to support friends and family running in the race, there are a number of vantage points dotted across the route as well as dedicated stations to give runners that extra boost. Participants will also be spurred along by choirs, live bands, and charitable organisations, plus this year's Event Village will have have everything for before and after the run.
Located around the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, the event village is where participants can drop their bags and pick up their running pack on Saturday until 5pm. As well as providing food and drink, warm-down services, this is also the spot where participants can pick up post-race awards.
How can I track a runner?
According to planners, one of the most common questions is people wanting to know where their friend, family member or colleague is up to on the course, which is why last year Manchester Marathon organisers added a website feature to track each runner’s progress around the course. Timing mats situated in five locations will be triggered when run over, allowing you to see when runners have reached this point.
How do I find out about finishing times?
Individual runner finish times will appear on the website not long after they complete the course. You’ll need the bib number or name of the person you are following to check this. Organisers have said to allow 45 minutes after finishing for results to appear here.
READ NEXT:
The Greater Manchester museum kids will love on a rainy day this Easter
- Outdoor inflatable park opening for Easter holidays with slides, obstacle courses and more
30 indoor things to do with kids on a rainy day in Manchester this Easter holidays
- From thrilling rides to free events, all the things to do in Blackpool in 2023
- Lamb cuddles and farm trails - all the best lambing events across the region
