The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Flat, city streets and suburbs |
| Start | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Finish | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Registration | Open entry |
| Total Finishers | ~25,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 10-15°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | None (Metrolink day ticket recommended) |
| Course Certification | UK Athletics certified |
The Manchester Marathon starts and finishes at Old Trafford, looping through the south Manchester suburbs on a course that is one of the flattest in the UK. The route takes in Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, and the leafy southern suburbs before returning to Old Trafford. There are no significant hills; the total elevation gain is approximately 120 metres.
Manchester is one of the better UK marathon options for a PB attempt. The flat course, the large field, and the typically cool late-April conditions create good conditions for fast running. The main variable is the weather: Manchester can deliver anything from sunshine to sideways rain in April.
Entry
The Manchester Marathon uses open entry. Registration opens in summer/autumn for the following April race on the official website (greatermanchestermarathon.com). Entry fees are around £55-80 depending on when you register. Places typically sell out within hours of opening.
Enter now →Race Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Manchester. Piccadilly station is the main rail hub. Manchester Airport is 15 minutes by train or 45 minutes by tram. The city centre is compact and walkable.
Saturday: Expo and number collection at Manchester Central. Allow a half-day. Spend the afternoon at the Northern Quarter or the Castlefield area - both flat and good for a pre-race walk.
Sunday (Race Day): Metrolink tram to Old Trafford from the city centre. Trams run from early morning on race day. Post-race: the tram back to the city centre is the easiest return.
Where to Stay
Stay in the city centre around Piccadilly or Deansgate. Both are on the Metrolink network for access to Old Trafford. Salford Quays hotels are slightly closer to the finish but have fewer dining options nearby.
Boutique hotel in a Grade II listed Italian Renaissance building. Rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city.
Art deco former bank building. Bold design, rooftop club bar with city views. Strong location for the marathon weekend.
Grand Edwardian hotel directly on Piccadilly Gardens. Spa and pool. Well-positioned for the Metrolink to the start.
Spacious aparthotel rooms near Piccadilly station. Practical for a marathon weekend with the kitchen facilities.
Design-led budget hotel in a central location. Reliable quality at lower prices than comparable city-centre hotels.
See & Do
The Northern Quarter is the city's independent creative neighbourhood - flat streets of record shops, coffee bars, and restaurants running north of Piccadilly Gardens. The Science and Industry Museum in Castlefield (free) covers the industrial revolution that made Manchester in a building on the site of the world's first passenger railway station. The Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street (free) has the best Pre-Raphaelite collection outside London.
Salford Quays - the regenerated docklands west of the city - has the Lowry theatre, the Imperial War Museum North, and the flat waterfront walk along the Manchester Ship Canal. Twenty minutes by tram from the city centre.
After the Race
Manchester's rail connections are some of the best in the north of England. Chester is 40 minutes west; Liverpool 35 minutes west; Lancaster 55 minutes north; the Peak District 60 minutes south.
The Roman city of Deva Victrix. Two kilometres of intact city walls at recovery pace, The Rows covered medieval galleries, and a flat circuit that can be done entirely under cover if April delivers its usual weather.
The Lune Aqueduct, the canal towpath north toward Morecambe Bay, and Lancaster Castle above the river. One of those market towns that has not yet been fully discovered by the weekend-break industry.
Buxton's thermal baths (the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme of the north), the Pavilion Gardens, and the Monsal Trail - a converted railway through the limestone gorges of the White Peak. No gradients. Tunnels with lighting.
Two cities that could not be more different. Chester's Roman walls and Rows for two nights, then Liverpool's Albert Dock, Tate, and the Walker Gallery for two more. Merseyrail connects them in 45 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Manchester Marathon?
The start and finish are both at Old Trafford. Manchester city centre and Salford Quays are 15-20 minutes by Metrolink tram.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Manchester Marathon?
Book four to six months in advance. Late April in Manchester fills central hotels.
Is there free transport to the Manchester Marathon start?
Old Trafford is on the Metrolink network. No dedicated free race transport; a day Metrolink ticket covers all journeys.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Manchester Marathon?
The city centre (Deansgate, Piccadilly) and Salford Quays. Both within 15-20 minutes by tram of Old Trafford.
When does the Manchester Marathon expo open?
The expo is typically at Manchester Central, Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. Check the official website.
What is the weather like at the Manchester Marathon?
Late April: 10 to 15°C. Rain is always possible in Manchester. Check the forecast beforehand.
How do I get from the airport to Manchester?
Metrolink tram from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly Gardens: approximately 45 minutes. Northern Rail to Piccadilly station: 15 minutes.
Is there a bag drop at the Manchester Marathon?
Yes. Bag drop is at the Old Trafford start/finish. Use the official bag.
Should I bring a throwaway layer to the Manchester Marathon start?
A light layer for the pre-race wait. Late April mornings in Manchester can be cool and wet.
How do I get back after the Manchester Marathon?
Metrolink from Old Trafford to the city centre runs throughout the day. Busy post-race; allow extra time.