Manchester Marathon 2024 start time and everything else you need to know

On Sunday morning, thousands of runners will head to the streets of Manchester to take part in this year’s Manchester Marathon.

The 2024 Adidas Manchester Marathon is the UK's second largest marathon and one of Europe's largest. This year’s event is set to break records for numbers for attendance, with 32,000 people expected to take part.

In addition to the participants, more than 125,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Trafford and Manchester to offer their support. It is estimated that the event will raise around £3.5 million for hundreds of charities, with nearly 2,000 race places allocated to charities including Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and The Christie.

READ MORE: Manchester Marathon 2024 full route revealed

With a long history dating back to 1908, the annual event has become a popular event for runners from all over the country - and further afield - who are looking to secure a personal best. This year, the adidas Manchester Marathon also welcomed a brand new mascot, Chester the Bee, who is the partner of the marathon's existing mascot Manny the Bee.

Manchester has a vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, and organisers say introducing mascots that celebrate this diversity allows the marathon to reflect these identities within Greater Manchester. They have said, it is a way to ‘honour the unique contributions and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals’ and ‘showcase their pride within the larger community’.

Participants will also be able to access a Adidas Manchester Marathon pop-up experience in the run-up to the event, taking place from 10-13 April at Feel Good Club in Northern Quarter. Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon.

When is the Manchester Marathon?

The Manchester Marathon takes place next Sunday, 14 April. Entrants will complete a 26.2 mile route that passes through the city centre as well as towns including Altrincham, Trafford and Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.

The event raises millions of pounds for charity, including causes such as The Christie and Cancer Research UK, and The British Heart Foundation.

How do I collect my participant pack?

The vast majority of runners will receive their pack in the post ahead of the event. The pack contains a bib unique to each running, timing chip and participant number. This number must be attached to your outside garment on your front.

For those who don't receive their pack in advance, pack collection will take place at The Holiday Inn, Manchester, on Saturday, April 13 from 10am-5pm. If you’re unable to collect it, someone else can on your behalf with written permission, but the registered entrant will also need to show proof of ID on event day to access the start.

How do I get to the event?

Public transport is recommended as there will be a number of road closures in place in Manchester and Trafford, which will result in bus diversions. The Metrolink is the advised travel choice for the day and there are a number of stops located close to spectating points along the race route.

The Old Trafford tram station is a one-minute walk from the start line, but there are other nearby options too including Trafford Bar and Imperial War Museum, the latter of which is a 20-minute walk.

If you are travelling from outside Manchester by railway, it is recommended to use either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria stations. Both stations have Metrolink connections.

If you are driving, there are a number of Park and Ride locations in Greater Manchester which can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester site.

In terms of parking, Manchester United FC has a limited number of car parking places available. These spaces must be secured in advance and will not be available to pay for on the day. Marathon organisers offer a limited amount of disabled parking for our participants who require it, but it must be booked in advance, with a deadline of Friday, 5 April.

What time does it start?

Runners will be asked to make their way to the start access area 30 minutes before their estimated start time. Bag drop is located at the event village at Lancashire Cricket Club, and participants are advised to allow extra time.

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 9am.

Red will set off at 9.10am, Light Blue at 9.20am, Bronze at 9.30am and Green at 9.40am. The Purple band will head out at 9.50am, Yellow at 10am, DRK Blue at 10.10am and Grey at 10.20am. Maroon will depart at 10.30am, Black at 10.50am, Pink at 11am and finally, Cyan at 11.10am.

Should you wish to run with somebody who has been allocated a different wave you can do so, but only by both of you joining the later of the two times. Relay teams are also able to find their start time by searching for relay team leader on the start list on the website.

The minimum speed that you must keep to is a 6 hour pace. The finish line will close 6 hours after the last person crosses the start line.

What is the route?

As part of the Manchester Marathon route for 2024, runners can expect to take in some of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks, from Bridgewater Hall and Beetham Tower, to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ itself, Old Trafford.

The route will start and end in Trafford. Participants will set off underneath Trafford Arch at White City Circle, before making their way past Old Trafford and heading to the city centre via Chorlton and Hulme.

After reaching the city centre, runners will then head towards Stretford, passing through Sale before turning off before Timperley and reaching Altrincham at around the 16-mile mark. The final leg of the route will take runners through Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, with Talbot Road leading the way to the finish line.

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. Road closures include the A56 (Northbound and Southbound), and officials will start closing roads at 3am, and begin reopening roads from 2pm as the course clears.

The last closed road is expected to be re-opened at 8pm through Chorlton and Old Trafford towards the end of the course. Organisers have shared an interactive map below for road closure information, and temporary vehicle crossing point details.

Where can I watch?

There are a number of vantage points spread out 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 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?

Spectators will be able to access the estimated current locations of all runners during the event through a predictive tracking system here.

Timing mats situated in five locations will be triggered when run over, allowing you to see when runners have reached this point. A text message will also be sent to those tracking runners as they near the finish line.

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.