Manchester Marathon

Manchester Marathon course route

The Manchester Marathon is a flat out-and-back course starting and finishing at Old Trafford, running through Trafford, Sale, and Altrincham before retracing its steps. With no significant hills the course stays quick and easier to pace, while the repeated roads can feel tougher late on; spectators are strongest near Old Trafford and through Sale and Altrincham.

Manchester Marathon route map

Official course map — view on race website

Manchester Marathon elevation profile

The Manchester Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 55 metres of climbing and 55 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.

Entry requirements

Manchester is widely regarded as one of the faster marathons in the United Kingdom. Its extremely flat course through Greater Manchester's suburbs, combined with a large and well-organised field, produces good conditions for personal bests and Good For Age qualifying times for events like the London Marathon.

Manchester Marathon course video

Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.

adidas Manchester Marathon 2026 Route Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Manchester Marathon elevation profile?

The Manchester Marathon has 55 metres of total climbing and 55 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is very flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.

Where can I find the Manchester Marathon route map?

This page includes a Manchester Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. The official course map is published at www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/the-course/. The flat out-and-back route follows the Trafford and Altrincham roads through Greater Manchester.

How long is the Manchester Marathon?

The Manchester Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes at Old Trafford.

What time does the Manchester Marathon start?

The 2027 Manchester Marathon starts at 9:00 am local time on Sunday, 18 April 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.

Is the Manchester Marathon one of the UK's fastest?

Manchester is widely regarded as one of the faster marathons in the United Kingdom. Its extremely flat course through Greater Manchester's suburbs, combined with a large and well-organised field, produces good conditions for personal bests and Good For Age qualifying times for events like the London Marathon.

Where does the Manchester Marathon finish?

The race starts in Trafford's Old Trafford area and loops through Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, and the southern Manchester suburbs before finishing back in Trafford near Old Trafford stadium. The Trafford finish line is a well-known landmark for thousands of runners each spring.

When is the Manchester Marathon held?

The Manchester Marathon is typically held on the third Sunday of April each year. April offers generally mild conditions in the north of England. See www.manchestermarathon.co.uk for confirmed dates and entry details.

How large is the Manchester Marathon?

Manchester is one of the UK's largest marathons by field size, regularly attracting over 20,000 registered runners. Its combination of strong crowds along the route, excellent logistics, and PB-friendly flat course has made it one of the most popular spring marathon events in Britain.

Is the Manchester Marathon course flat?

Extremely so. The course is routed through the flat Cheshire plain south of Manchester city centre, with barely any meaningful hills along the route. The total elevation gain is among the lowest of any major UK marathon, making it ideal for runners seeking a fast time.