Great Manchester Run: route maps for 10k & half-marathon, start times, results & how to watch the runners

With only days left until the return of the Great Manchester Run events, runners and elite athletes are hard at work in training for the big day.

The city’s popular 10k is back on Sunday 26 September, along with the half-marathon - and there is still time to enter and enjoy the iconic race, which will also be broadcast on TV.

Whether you are a charity fundraiser looking to enjoy the fun atmosphere or a serious runner aiming to knock time off your personal best, here’s the lowdown on the big day.

Is there still time to enter?

Entries are now closed.

What are the routes this year?

The routes take place in Manchester city centre again, with the finish line ending on Deansgate.

Organisers have issued maps for the route of both the 10K and half-marathon.

The 10K starts on Portland Street, follows the A56, past Old Trafford, along Salford Quays and back on itself to finish at Deansgate.

The half-marathon has the same start and finish lines, but also extends along the A57 towards the Etihad stadium before looping back along the A56, past Old Trafford, along Salford Quays and back to Deansgate.

What time does the race start?

The first ’pink wave’ for the half-marathon will assemble at 8am, and set off at 8.30am.

They will be followed by elite wheelchair athletes at 9am, the junior race at 9.30am (TBC) and the ‘orange’ wave assembling for the 10K at 11am. The final white wave for the 10K assembles at 11.30am and the green wave assembles at midday, with each setting off half an hour after assmebly.

Elite women start at 11.15am; elite men at 11.30am.

Organisers say timings are subject to change and advise runners to check in advance on their website.

What are the Covid regulations?

Organisers have asked anyone with Covid-19 symptoms not to attend.

There will be hand sanitiser stations around the event including at the start and end points, and people are being asked to be considerate to fellow runners, and not show up more than half an hour before their assembly time.

Face masks will be provided after the race in the goodie bags to help with onward travel.

Can I run with a friend or move waves?

If you have been allocated a different wave time to your friend, you can move back to a later wave and simply join them - but you cannot move forward to an earlier start time.

Where can I check race results?

Organisers have produced a handy race tracker where you see results going back over the years which can be found here.

Finish times will be online afterward at greatrun.org/results

How can I watch the runners - is it on TV?

There will live music and entertainment zones along the way to keep everyone motivated and charities Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Christie and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital will host ‘cheering buses’ along the route to keep spirits up.

Organisers advise those wanting to spectate there are no set zones to do this, but they are welcome to watch along the route as it is on public roads.

In good news, the BBC will be back to broadcast the race. It is on BBC1 from 11am to 1pm.

* Are you taking part? Let us know your race story: tweet us @MancWorldUK or email [email protected]