The Adidas Manchester Marathon, due to take place on 27 April, will now have its finish line outside Whitworth Hall on Oxford Road.
Previously, the start and finish line were at Old Trafford, but the new finish line is believed to provide a more “elite level finish experience”.
The Marathon will use buildings at the University as a backdrop, stating, “The University is renowned for being a hub of innovation and progress, making it a perfect fit for our constantly evolving event and treating participants and spectators to spectacular surroundings”.
With the finish line now on Oxford Road, much closer to the city centre, organisers believe transport to and from the event will be smoother, and post-marathon entertainment options will be more accessible.
Organisers of the Manchester Marathon have published the full route along with details of any road closures.
The Adidas Manchester marathon has been reported to be Europe’s fifth-largest marathon event.
In 2024, 32,000 people attended the event. This year, over 36,000 runners have been confirmed to take part in the marathon.
The London and Manchester marathons will both be held on the same day, with a combined estimated 90,000 runners taking on the 26.2-mile challenge.
The Manchester Marathon has partnered with several charities, including the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, allowing participants to run for a cause. In 2024, the event raised £3.5 million for charity.
In partnership with City of Trees, the Manchester Marathon is also offering the
Green Runner Scheme, an eco-friendly initiative introduced in 2022 that allows runners to forgo the T-shirt and/or finisher’s medal.
Attempting to limit the environmental impact of the race, the marathon will donate all money that would have been used to produce T-shirts and medals to City of Trees, a charity dedicated to “
greening” Greater Manchester.
