Race Review: Manchester Marathon

oliverbridge7
Nov 6
3 min read

What is the Manchester Marathon race like?

From racing in 2022.

General

A large marathon race with a pretty simple course that goes from Manchester city centre to the suburbs and back.

Flat and fast course
UK's 2nd largest marathon
Goes past Manchester United's ground Old Trafford
Only one notable incline halfway
Potential long wait before starting
Similar time to London Marathon, a good alternative

Official site:

https://www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/home/

Climate

It's the north of England, anything could happen! But most likely it will be cold in the morning and a lot of people wore things just before the start that they discarded or like me chose to wear some gloves and took them off after a few miles.

The Start

The start is on a main road, the A56, with a brilliant crowd.

It is a fast downhill start that can give you momentum, or false sense of security if you don't realise it's downhill.

The first couple of miles are a little wiggly but there is only one 180 turn that you need to actually slow for after 3 miles / 5km.

Even though it's early, the crowds in the centre of Manchester are already fantastic and the first part of the marathon will fly by before you know it.

The Middle

I'm going to say that what feels like 'the middle' is early.

After 5 miles you hit a long straight that takes you out of the city to the suburbs.

Before you do that, you do a short couple of turns to go around the world famous stadium of Manchester United football club - Old Trafford. This is a nice highlight to look forward to, unless you're a Liverpool or Manchester City fan of course.

The route here is ever so slight undulating but then the long straight road is flat and you can really settle into a rhythm.

After 10 miles you start to do your turn-around at halfway in Altrincham.

This is probably the most challenging part of the race because if you don't know and don't prepare then the short but slow climb of a few 100 metres can catch you by suprirse. There is a slight incline up a bridge and then a mile before the climb that can catch you at a bad moment because there is 50% of your race still to run.

However, take it well and then use the immediate downhill after the climb to take a few deep breaths and carry the speed for the following couple of miles on the other side of the road you came up.

Miles 16-20 are a bit non-descript, you wind through pleasant suburbs but there are not many spectators nor music entertainment - of which Manchester has a lot throughout.

The Finish

I'll start this from 19.5 miles out because from then until 21 miles you hit the main road you ran down, the entertainment ramps up as you go under a couple of bridges and you get a real sense of the city and finish not being far away.

You take a different route through the city on the way back, the crowds build, the road is flat

Mike 24-25 is awesome and easy to get to for supporters, a great place to see any friends or family and get that final boost of energy.

Just before the final straight is a little odd because crowds suddenly disappear and it's slightly residential but then you take your final turning left and you're onto the long finishing straight! Don't underestimate that there is still a way to run but you can see the gantry and the clock a long way off so you can really squeeze everything out of yourself.

The finish line is a really wide road and feels pretty special.

After the line you're also ferried to a decently sized area to collect your bag and enjoy some sponsor treats.