Manchester Marathon & Half Marathon 2021: route maps, start times, results checker & spectators’ guide

Whether you’re running or cheering on a friend, here’s all you need to know ahead of the Therme Manchester Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday 10 October, including the new routes.
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After months of training, thousands of runners are almost ready to lace up their trainers and take on one of the UK’s most popular marathons.

The Therme Manchester Marathon and sister race the Half Marathon return to the city on Sunday 10 October.

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We’ve put together a guide to help the day run smoothly by answering some of your questions about the race.

Good luck to everyone taking part!

Manchester MarathonManchester Marathon
Manchester Marathon

What are the new routes for the Marathon and Half Marathon in 2021?

The Marathon will begin at Trafford Arch, near to Old Trafford football ground.

For the first time ever, runners will make their way into the city centre, past landmarks like the Beetham Tower and then the Great Northern Warehouse, next turning into Mount Street by the Midland Hotel. The route will then take in Albert Square, back onto Deansgate and past Spinningfields towards Manchester United’s ground.

It then heads out to Sale, onto Altrincham town centre and via Marsland Road - before ending up at the finish line near UA92 university and Old Trafford cricket ground. You can see a detailed mile-by-mile guide here or watch our exclusive video above with the race CEO who talks over the route.

Manchester Marathon route map 2021Manchester Marathon route map 2021
Manchester Marathon route map 2021
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In good news for runners, the Half Marathon it has been certified as the flattest major half marathon route in the UK!

The half marathon route will start at Chester Road, and head through Stretford to Sale and via Timperley before looping back up via Sale Moor and ending up at the finish line near Old Trafford cricket ground. See the route map below for more details.

Route map: Therme half marathonRoute map: Therme half marathon
Route map: Therme half marathon

What are the start times for the Marathon and Half Marathon?

The event village and bag drop is at Lancashire County Cricket Club and opens from 6.30am on Sunday.

The Half Marathon races will get going first. The start areas begin to open from 7.30am and the first race to begin is the elite wheelchair race at 8am.

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That will be swiftly followed by elite half marathon runners at 8.05am.

The remaining half marathon runners will start from 8.15am.

The Marathon follows next. The elite wheelchair race starts at 10.20am, followed by the elite runners at 10.25am.

The main marathon starts from 10.30am but there will be a staggered arrival process and all runners will be emailed in advance with a specific arrival/start time based on their predicted finisher time. Runners are asked not to come before or after the times given in the email.

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Organisers have also issued this graphic for guidance, in relation to coloured bibs being posted out to runners with timings.

Manchester marathon 2022 start times and bib coloursManchester marathon 2022 start times and bib colours
Manchester marathon 2022 start times and bib colours

How can I check my results afterwards?

Results will be uploaded to the Manchester Marathon website - and you can check all the results from previous years’ events on their site here.

Can I go and watch the marathon?

Spectators are welcome along public roads of the route but they will be unable to access the areas for runners at the start and finish line or get into the Athlete Village.

There will be entertainment dotted along the route including live music to cheer runners along.

Manchester MarathonManchester Marathon
Manchester Marathon
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And organisers have produced this guide to some recommended viewing points for spectators below.

Is the marathon on TV?

The marathon won’t be on live TV this time but you can watch a live stream from 7am at manchestermarathon.co.uk from the comfort of your sofa.

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