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Manchester Evening News

Entertainment

Jenna Campbell

Great Manchester Run 2023 start time, road closures, route and all you need to know

Manchester Great Manchester Run Deansgate Mancunian Way Half Marathon Oxford St

The Great Manchester Run returns to the city this weekend, with thousands of runners taking on the 10k and half marathon events. Manchester’s original running event takes place on Sunday, May 21, with start times staggered throughout the day.

2023 marks the 20th anniversary and there will be live entertainment zones at every turn to mark the occasion. A Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run will also take part at the Etihad Campus.

Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah will also race in the Great Manchester Run this weekend. The four-time gold medallist, who took part in the event last year, will retire from elite competition after the AJ Bell Great North Run in September.

Established in 2003, the run is known for being Europe’s biggest 10km race, and will be broadcast on the BBC throughout the day. Thousands will also turn out to offer their support to those taking part and soak up the atmosphere.

Several roads within the city will be affected and road closures and traffic diversion plans will be in operation on the day. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the Great Manchester Run 2023.

What Route does the Great Manchester take?

The 10k and half marathon course take two different routes - with the half marathon an extra 6.9 miles.

The 10k route starts off on Portland Street just near the junction with Oxford Road, and continues down onto the A56 towards Old Trafford - taking in Manchester United’s ground - before heading back towards Deansgate. The finish line is on Great Bridgewater Street.

The Half Marathon route (Great Manchester Run)

The half marathon starts and continues along the same route as the 10k, until turning onto the Mancunian Way and continuing all the way up to Etihad Stadium before joining the 10k route back down past Old Trafford and back up to Deansgate.

What are the timings for the Great Manchester Run 2023?

This year, the 10k and half marathon will commence on Sunday May 21, 2023.

Here is the current timetable on the day:

7.30am - Event site opens
8am - Half Marathon assembly point
8.20am - Half Marathon warm-up
8.27am V1 Half Marathon wave start
8.30am Half Marathon orange wave start
8.47am - Half Marathon red wave start
9.04am - Elite Wheelchair (10k) race start
9.30am - Junior Great Manchester Run Start
10.25am - Mini Great Manchester Run Start
10.45am 10k Orange, Red & Green wave assembly point
11.15am - Elite Women Start
11.18 10K Orange, Red & Green Wave Warm up
11.30am - 10k Elite Men & Orange wave start
11.49am - 10k Red Wave Start
11.53am - 10K Green Wave Start
12.10pm - 10k Pink & Purple wave assembly point
12.25pm - 10k Pink & Purple warm up
12.54pm - 10k Pink Wave start

Where are the assembly points and baggage areas?

The Great Manchester Run returns to the city centre this weekend (Manchester Evening News)

The half marathon and 10K orange wave and 10k pink wave access the assembly area via Princess Street. The Half Marathon red wave, 10k green wave and 10k purple wave can access the assembly point by Charlotte Street.

There are two separate baggage area, open from 7.20am. All half marathon baggage, 10k orange, 19k red, 10k pink and 10k purple baggage can be left at Manchester Central Foyer. The 10k green wave baggage can be left as baggage buses on Jackson Row.

How to travel to the Great Manchester Run

When travelling to the event, organisers recommend using public transport options available on the day. They also suggest visiting the Transport for Greater Manchester website to plan your journey and updates will be available @OfficialTfGM Twitter.

The information point for last-minute queries, for anyone who hasn’t received their race number, or race pack collection if you entered after the cut-off date is available at the AJ Bell branded marquee on Great Northern Square on Saturday and Sunday.

It is open on Saturday, May 20, from 10am-4pm, and on Sunday, May 21, from 7.30am-3pm.