Manchester Half Marathon and Super League Grand Final travel warning issued ahead of bumper weekend

Tens of thousands of people will be visiting the city centre for the big sporting weekend. Starting on Saturday, when around 60,000 rugby keague fans will be heading to Old Trafford to watch Wigan Warriors take on Hull KR.

Then, on Sunday, 24,000 runners will be taking part in the half marathon, which also starts and ends at Old Trafford, passing through Chorlton, Sale, Stretford and Hulme. Thousands of spectators will also be gathering at various points along the route to cheer them on.

As a result, there will be road closures and disruptions to public transport schedules this weekend. Here’s what you need to know.

Saturday

Anyone travelling to the Super League grand final is encouraged to travel by public transport. The Metrolink will be running a six-minute service to Old Trafford on the Altrincham line, as well as a 12-minute service to Wharfside on the Trafford Park line and Exchange Quay on the Eccles Line. Drivers need to be aware that there will be one lane out on A56 heading northbound near Barton Road, with delays of around 10-15 minutes expected before the game.

Sunday

There will be significant road closures on Sunday due to the half marathon. TfGM have put together a comprehensive list of all the road closures, including the times roads will be shut, and an interactive map of the route. People are strongly advised not to drive near the affected areas as delays and congestion are expected.

The Metrolink will be the best way to get around on Sunday. All lines are expected to be busier than normal, especially the Eccles, Altrincham and Trafford Park lines. Trams will run every 15 minutes across the network. An extra service from Altrincham towards Crumpsall has been added, meaning there will be trams every 7.5 minutes on that line.

Runners taking part in the race are recommended to travel to the Old Trafford, Trafford Bar or Imperial War Museum to get to the start line on Bridgewater Way. Pomona, Cornbrook, Exchange Quay and Wharfside will all be difficult to access.

For spectators, there will be designated cheer points at Deansgate Interchange and Wharfside. Stratford, Sale and Chorlton are also recommended spots for cheering on participants. There are several Metrolink stops located near spectating points. There are 24 park and ride sites across Greater Manchester, with Parkway being the most convenient for race-goers.

What do TfGM say?

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said: “It’s shaping up to be a really exciting weekend with two wonderful events that thousands of people will be heading out to enjoy – showcasing what Greater Manchester is all about.

“We want everyone to have a great time and avoid hold-ups and delays wherever possible, which is why I’d encourage anyone travelling in the half marathon area in particular to plan ahead and allow themselves plenty of time for their journey.

“Tram will definitely be the best way to get around and if you’re coming to cheer someone on why not avoid the busy start and finish points and cheer on your runner from one of the lovely places along the route, such as Sale or Chorlton.

“For those who really have to drive our Metrolink park and ride sites are a great option. You can park for free and let a tram take you to your destination, without having to worry about congestion on the roads.”