Understand
Manchester Half Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know
Overview
A record 32,000 runners are expected to participate in the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday 4 October 2026. The 13.1-mile race takes place across Trafford and south Manchester, starting and finishing at Lancashire Cricket Club in Old Trafford. Organisers have implemented staggered start waves ranging from 08:50 BST to 11:07 BST, and recommend using public transport such as the Metrolink to avoid road closures.
Key points
- A record number of approximately 32,000 runners have signed up for the 2026 event.
- The 13.1-mile race takes place on Sunday 4 October, starting and ending at Lancashire Cricket Club in Old Trafford.
- Runners will set off in staggered colour-coded start waves between 08:50 BST and 11:07 BST.
- The route covers closed roads through Trafford and south Manchester, including Bridgewater Way, Chester Road, and Seymour Grove.
- Organisers recommend travelling via the Metrolink tram network to avoid delays from road closures.