METROLINK
PARTICIPANTS TAKING PART
First time to Manchester? Getting around is simple with the city’s Metrolink system. There are 99 stops on the network with many close to the event start & finish line and along the race route.
Services operate on the line from 7am on the Sunday morning. Closer to the event we will provide the timings of the first tram for each line.
We recommend the following Tram Stops to get to the Start Area, and to depart from the Finish Area:
Close Tram Stops: Quieter
Why not incorporate a gentle 15 min warm up walk (past the famous Manchester United Football Old Trafford ground) to the Start Access area on Talbot Road and avoid the busy congestion of the other tram stops.
- Imperial War Museum on the Trafford Centre (red) line – 15 min walk
Closest Tram Stops: Highly Congested
- Old Trafford, located on the Altrincham (purple/green) line - 3 Min Walk
- Trafford Baron the Altrincham (purple/green) line – 10 min walk
Although no tram stops will be closed for the event, participants are advised not to travel to Pomona, Wharfside or Exchange Quay as the Start Area is not easily accessible from there and you will need to wait to cross over the busy race route (at the designated crossing areas) more than once to reach the start area, which may cause delays to your journey.
Please note for your arrival planning / timings – that all runners must access the Start Area from Talbot Road to go through the correct start process, even if you arrive ‘run ready’ with no need to use the Bag Drop. The toilets are also located near this area.
Make sure that you check your journey in advance and leave plenty of time for busy Trams and possible queuing. For service updates across the weekend visit the Metrolink website.
On the same link you can find further information about ticket prices, tram frequency and anything else you may need to know.
CAR
We do not have any official parking, as you can imagine, the race route requires a significant number of road closures across the Sunday. We strongly dissuade you driving on the Sunday as the closures are likely to cause congestion on other parts of the network, and we wouldn’t want you to be delayed. If you would like to park, MUFC opens up a limited number of pre-paid parking spaces at £15 per space if booked in advance. If not sold out prior the price will increase to £20 per space on 14 April.
PARKING AT MANCHESTER UNITED FC
Whether you use this or any other public car park please keep in mind that many roads will be closed for the event so please ensure you plan a route that avoids closures. Unobstructed access to the MUFC car park is possible from the M60 (Junction 9), and M602 (Junction 2). Instructions on the driving route to MUFC car parks on event day can be found below
Event road closure details can be found here
Please note MUFC parking is operated independently of the event organisers.
PARK & RIDE
Park and Ride using the Metrolink is a quick and easy solution to travel to the event, without worrying where to leave your car. This is a free service to passengers with a valid Metrolink ticket.
- East Didsbury – 302 spaces.
- Brooklands – 108 spaces.
- Navigation Road – 81 spaces.
- Sale Water Park – 300 spaces.
- Ladywell – 250 spaces.
- Parkway – 360 spaces.
Head to the Transport for Greater Manchester Park & Ride website for more details on these locations and the service.
DISABLED PARKING
We offer a limited amount of disabled parking for our participants that require it. It must be booked in advance, with a deadline of Friday 5th April.
Our team will be happy to help with this – Click Here to get in contact
RAIL SERVICES
If you’re arriving on the morning of the race, we recommend traveling to Piccadilly or Victoria station. From here you can then connect with Metrolink trams to take you to the start line.
If you’re arriving at Oxford Road train station, you will need to make the short walk to St Peter’s Square tram stop, where you can then board a tram.