To ensure you have the best experience, we’ve laid out some helpful travel advice to ensure you and your supporters are prepared for the adidas Manchester Marathon on Sunday 16th April.

METROLINK

TRAM TRAVEL (RUNNERS)

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.

The nearest stop to access the start and event village areas is Old Trafford, located on the Altrincham line. Services operate on the line from 7am on the Sunday morning at a six-minute frequency. Alternatively, you may wish to travel to Trafford Bar (10 min walk) or Imperial War Museum (20 min walk) for the start line.

Although no stops will be closed for the event, participants are advised not to travel to Wharfside, Exchange Quay or Pomona as the Start Area is not easily accessible. You will need to wait to cross over the busy race route (at the designated crossing areas) more than once to reach the start, which may cause delays to your journey.

Please note that all runners must access the Start Area from Talbot Road to go through the correct start process, even if arriving ‘run ready’ with no need to use Bag Drop.

For service updates across the weekend visit the Metrolink website.

The earliest tram times for the day of the event can be found below:

TRAM TICKETS

We recommend using contactless payment for travel.

Just touch-in at the start of a journey and touch-out at the end using a contactless bank card or device (such as a phone or watch) at the on-stop machines. We’ll then calculate your fare, but make sure you use the same device to avoid being overcharged!

If you’re travelling by Metrolink as a family, you can save money with our family travelcard which allows travel for one to three children (aged under 16) accompanied by one or two adults. However, this only is available via the on-stop ticket machines.

You can find further information about ticket prices, tram frequency and everything else at tfgm.com/metrolink

TRAM TRAVEL (SPECTATORS)

Are you assigned the important role of cheering on a friend or family member? There are many Metrolink stops located close to spectating points along the adidas Manchester Marathon race route.

We have released a full Supporter and Weekend Digital Magazine with tons of advice. Below is a list of the stops which, at a glance, are close to the race route and how far along they are.

• Deansgate Castlefield – After 4.5 miles
• Cornbrook – After 6 miles
• Wharfside/Imperial War Museum – After 7.5 miles
• Timperley – After 13.5 miles
• Altrincham – After 16 miles
• Brooklands – After 20.5 miles
• Sale – After 21.5 miles
• Stretford – After 23.5 miles
• Chorlton – After 24.5 miles
• Firswood – After 25 miles
• Trafford Bar/Old Trafford – for the finish line

CAR

As you can imagine, the 26.2-mile race route requires a significant number of road closures over the day. We strongly dissuade driving on Sunday 16th April as the closures are likely to cause congestion on other parts of the network and delays are likely.

PARK & RIDE

Park and Ride & 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 with 302 spaces.
• Brooklands with 108 spaces.
• Navigation Road with 81 spaces.
• Sale Water Park with 300 spaces.
• Ladywell with 250 spaces.
• Parkway with 360 spaces.

View the full race route map and the location of Park and Ride locations.

PARKING AT MANCHESTER UNITED FC

We recommend using public transport, but if driving is your only option, Manchester United FC now 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.

As many roads will be closed for the adidas Manchester Marathon please ensure you plan a route to the car park that avoids closures. Unobstructed access is possible from the M6O (Junction 9) and M6O2 (Juction 2).

BOOK PARKING AT MANCHESTER UNITED

DISABLED PARKING

We offer a limited amount of disabled parking for our athletes that require it. It must be booked in advance. Our team will be happy to help via the following link. www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/contact/

RAIL SERVICES

Two thirds of participants in this year’s adidas Manchester Marathon are travelling from outside the northwest with a significant number using train services to arrive into Manchester.

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.

Please note that TransPennine Express are currently scheduled to have industrial action take place on Sunday 3 April. This may affect services to Manchester, so please ensure you plan ahead and continue to check the status of your journey in the days running up to the race.

NEED ANY HELP?

If this is your first race or you’re unfamiliar with the area, we understand you might have a lot of questions. Most key questions and common queries are answered in our Event Guides and on the website, and you’ll likely find what you need here.

If you have any remaining questions, please visit our HELP CENTRE