Manchester Marathon 2023: How to watch the race & how you can get to areas along the route

The 2023 Manchester Marathon will see thousands of participants hit the city streets. Thousands more will be watching on hoping to catch a glimpse of the runners as they make their way around the route.

Planning where you want to stand ahead of the event could help you to avoid disappointment on the day. Knowing how to get there is just as vital in order to navigate potential travel issues.

As with many big events in Manchester, the Metrolink offers the best way to get around. For the Manchester Marathon, a plan is in place to make sure people who want to watch the participants can do so.

Many of the Metrolink’s 99 stops are located near good viewpoints along the marathon route. The best stop to use for the start line is Old Trafford.

Listed below are a series of Metrolink stops which are located along the route. Also provided is the distance along the route they will get you to.

• Old Trafford/Trafford Bar – for the start line
• 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

What if I’m not going to watch or take part in the Manchester Marathon?

Transport for Greater Manchester has supplied information on when the best time to travel on the Metrolink will be if you don’t want to be affected by the marathon. They anticipate that services will begin to quiet down at around 4pm.