Manchester Half Marathon 2022: how to enter, new route and date

The Manchester Half Marathon is back this autumn - and runners can now sign up to secure their place at the popular event.

The Half took place on the same day at the Therme Manchester Marathon last year, owing to the impact of Covid restrictions, but in 2022, the races are back in their separate slots (with the full marathon already having taken place in April.)

And in exciting news for half marathon regulars, there have been some changes to the route this time.

When is Manchester Half Marathon?

The event takes place in the city on Sunday 9 October 2022. Around 15,000 runners are expected to take part, making it one of the biggest half marathons in the area.

What is the new half marathon route?

The Half Marathon will still start and end near Old Trafford but the new-look 13.1 mile course will enter the city centre for the first time, with a stretch along Deansgate and within sight of some Manchester landmarks like Manchester Central Library, Manchester Opera House, the Albert Memorial and the Beetham Tower - see the city centre map below.

How much does it cost to enter the half marathon?

Standard entry prices are £39, or £37 for affiliate athletes. You can also apply for a packaged entry to the 2022 half and the 2023 full marathon at £89.

However, if you get a place to run for a nominated partner charity, entry is free (but you may have to raise a certain amount in sponsorship).

A full list of partner charities is on the race website here.

How old do I need to be to enter?

All runners must be aged 17 and over, or 18 if also doing the full marathon.

What is the Heroes theme?

For 2022, the Manchester Half will be unveiling a new ‘Heroes’ theme, championing those ‘who inspire others to run and the local heroes we encounter everyday.’

They want people to submit their stories of why they are running on their website -with special bibs and other rewards for those taking part.

Nick Rusling, CEO of the Manchester Half event organisers Human Race, says: “This year we want to celebrate the everyday heroes who will be running the streets of Manchester. There are heroes all around us and they come in many forms.

“Our real-life heroes might not have superpowers or wear capes (although some of you might choose to dress as your favourite hero on the day), but they are there. Some of our runners are heroes as they have overcome great barriers, some are running for their own personal heroes who were or are special to them, and some are simply their own heroes just for taking on the half marathon challenge.”

• For our bumper gallery of photos from the Manchester Marathon 2022, see here.