Manchester Marathon 2015: Route, Course Map, Times, Road Closures, Event Details
Marathon fever grips Manchester on Sunday, as thousands of athletes from around the world gather for a festival of long-distance running.
One of the friendliest races to hit the UK streets, the Manchester Marathon is a competition whereby it really is just about taking part, with entertainment guiding runners round and fancy dress the order of the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s marathon, from the route and road closures to times for your diary.
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Route
The Manchester Marathon has always been about shining a positive light on the city, with runners soaking in the best sights and most famous landmarks that it has to offer.
This year’s race finishes at perhaps the most iconic place in Manchester—Old Trafford stadium, the home of Manchester United.
While that won’t be music to fans of Manchester City—or indeed any of United’s Premier League rivals—it’s a great place to relax and celebrate after a gruelling 26 miles.
The route starts at the White City roundabout on Chester Road, before winding its way through Stretford, Sale, Altrincham, Urmston and Timperley and heading back to Sir Matt Busby Way for a glorious finish.
Course Map
Important Times
8:55 a.m. BST: Wheelchair race begins
9 a.m. BST: 2015 Manchester Marathon gets underway
9:30 a.m. BST: Start of Team Relays
1 p.m. BST: Podium celebrations for first, second and third male and female athletes
Road Closures
While the Manchester Marathon is all about fun—in fact, the race is officially deemed the “flattest, fastest and friendliest UK marathon” by the official website—getting around the city can be something of a nightmare.
Here’s a list of all of Manchester’s roads that will be closed to accommodate the race on Sunday (h/t Simon Coyle of Manchester Evening News):
Sir Matt Busby Way, Chester Road, Trafford Road, Wharfside Way, Sir Alex Ferguson Way, Trafford Wharf Road, Chapel Road, Claremont Road, Northernden Road, Stamford Place, Woodlands Road, Brooklands Road, Marsland Road, Hope Road, Shaftsbury Avenue, Altrincham Road, Stockport Road, Park Road, Thorley Lane, Stockport Road, Barrington Road, Grosvenor Road, Moss Lane, Stamford New Road, Railway Street, Regent Road, Market Street, Post Office Street, Stamford way, the Carrington Spur and Gloucester Road.
2015’s Race Set to be the Best Yet
Whenever the Manchester Marathon comes around, you can guarantee that there’ll be a party atmosphere in the heart of the city.
The spirit of the race truly gets the juices flowing of spectators and runners alike, with live entertainment lining the city streets.
Capital FM will put on a show an hour before the marathon begins to hype the competitors up, and it’ll also have sets in place around the course, including at the Altringham halfway point.
Elsewhere, there’ll be entertainment from Rock Choir, Sale Brass Band, Gorse Hill Studios, The Brook DJ, Frank Sidebottom’s Army, Little Belpers, Loose Change, Wellington Street Stompers, Manchester Fire Service, Cafe 56, Tomahawks, Trinity Methodist Choir, Loud and Proud Cheerleading and Bhangracise, while title sponsor ASICS will provide motivational support in several race spots.
Although runners won’t exactly have time to stand and watch, the entertainment will put thoughts in their heads other than the feeling that their legs are going to fall off, which can be very helpful indeed.
It’s not all fun and games, though, as there’ll be a serious world-record attempt taking centre stage—per Manchester Marathon:
Ollie Dawson is aiming to become the fastest marathon runner dressed as a Despicable Me minion on Sunday, while other fancy dress will be lighting up the line-up elsewhere.
Elite runners such as last year’s champion Andi Jones will be racing for the £750 first-place cash prize, with all of the top-10 finishers scooping a portion of the marathon’s kitty.
Race Director Simon Hill is looking forward to seeing the best runners compete, but also said that the friendly nature of the event is what’s truly special about it—via Roland:
"We are looking forward to delivering another fantastic event for runners and spectators alike. The race sees huge community support with thousands of supporters lining the streets of Greater Manchester, and we are proud to be referred to as the friendliest marathon. There is a great field of British elite runners on the start, and we would like to wish all the runners the best of luck in their marathon challenge on Sunday.
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Now, then, it’s up to the competitors themselves to do the party atmosphere justice by putting on a fantastic running show.
Times will vary from just over two hours to the six-hour mark—depending on how heavy your fancy dress is—but there are no losers when it comes to the Manchester Marathon.
Everyone receives a medal and an exclusive ASICS t-shirt at the finish line, together with a real sense of achievement and honour. The race is on!
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