Today's Manchester Marathon - Everything you need to know
One of the UK’s biggest running events returns this morning as tens of...
www.hellorayo.co.ukHere’s the latest on the Manchester Marathon route.
Core answer
- The 2026 Manchester Marathon uses the refreshed course that starts at the Old Trafford area and finishes on Oxford Road. Runners head through Sale, Altrincham, with a return through south Manchester before finishing on Oxford Road. Expect traffic disruptions and several road closures on marathon day, with travel plans advised ahead of time. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
Route details and notable changes
- Start and finish: Start at the E2 Car Park near Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium; finish line on Oxford Road. This mirrors the recent pattern used since the course refresh, creating a loop through Sale and Altrincham before returning toward the city center. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
- Key streets affected: Bridges and arterial routes around Bridgewater Way, Oxford Road, and nearby city-center corridors are typically impacted, with closures and one-way restrictions implemented for race day. Transport authorities routinely publish the latest closures and detours during the weekend. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
- Spectators and access: Spectator access is often restricted in the starting area, while public transport services (especially trams in Greater Manchester) may experience changes and delays around race weekend. Check TfGM updates for the day-of changes. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
What to plan for
- Travel and road closures: Allow extra travel time April marathon weekend; major roads—especially around Old Trafford, Bridgewater Way, and Oxford Road—may close for portions of the day. Local authorities typically issue a detailed road closures leaflet ahead of the event. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
- Public transport: Expect heightened services and possible reroutes, with trams and buses impacted by detours and crowding. TfGM publishes route changes and service advisories during the weekend. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]
If you’d like, I can extract the exact road closure times from the official city leaflet or map any specific streets you’ll use, and provide a compact travel plan for race day in Dallas-time local terms adjusted to your schedule. I can also pull the latest local advisories for up-to-the-minute details and share a simple, print-ready route brief. [BBC: Manchester Marathon 2026: Everything you need to know][4]