adidas Manchester Marathon
Sun 14 Apr 2024

adidas Manchester Marathon

Experience the UK’s friendliest and flattest major marathon with huge crowd support on a route with PB potential plus chunky medals and relay options. Charity places now available for 2024.

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  • Sun 14 Apr 2024

adidas Manchester Marathon

09:00

FREE-£115

Age 18 & over

Overview

All levels of runner are welcome to take on the 26.2 mile challenge at this premier UK running event, from superb elites to those who thought completing a marathon would never be possible.

With its fast course and electrifying atmosphere, any regular runners find this the ideal event to get a personal best time, whilst everybody finds the incredible Mancunian support throughout the course unforgettable.

It's quite simply a runner's oasis. Come and experience it for yourself this year!

Highlights

  • UK's second largest marathon

    One of the most popular marathons in the world and the fourth-largest in Europe, with over 30,000 runners expected this year!

  • Flat, fast and friendly

    For runners of all abilities with huge crowd support on route and great PB potential. You won't be short of motivation in Manchester!

  • Relay options

    Join forces with friends or colleagues to complete the 26.2 miles in a team of two or four.

  • T-shirt and chunky medal

    Fitting rewards for your efforts plus many other treats on-the-day.

  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams
  • Wheelchair users

Relay

Take on the distance in a team of 2 or 4!

If 26.2 miles sounds a little too daunting, why not team up with friends, family or colleagues to cover the distance between you?

The Manchester Marathon relay offers both two and four-person relay options, with each person covering part of the course. Each member of the relay team will receive a chunky medal and t-shirt when they finish.

Para-Athletes

All Para-Athletes are welcome including elite racing wheelchairs, assisted and unassisted day wheelchairs and racerunners. All athletes must complete the race within the 6hrs 30 minute cut-off time. Please note, hand-cycles are not currently permitted. 

  • Bag storage
  • Entertainment
  • Paid parking
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Talbot Road
Stretford
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M16 0PX
UK

  • Cut off time
  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • PB
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start
  • Way markers

Run through Manchester's vibrant city and enjoy its rich heritage, including the historic city centre and the Theatre of Dreams itself, Old Trafford.

The course weaves through central Manchester and local communities, with a flat profile that allows you to pick up the pace.

Route preview video

MANCHESTER MARATHON ROUTE MAP
Starting and finishing from Old Trafford with motivational activity points along the way.

  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy
  • Trees not tees

This event is constantly striving to improve sustainability to reduce its impact on the environment.

The approach is to ensure that the event is run as sustainably as possible to minimise its impact on the planet with the familiar 'reduce, re-use and recycle' ethos at the forefront.

Here are the areas of progress made so far:

Sustainability summary

  • Recycle as much as possible
  • Separate waste
  • Partnerships to encourage sustainable training
  • Springwater bottles made from 51% - 100% recycled plastic
  • Drop zones and additional receptacles to encourage runners to deposit bottles in a place they can easily be recycled
  • Race packs/pre-event communications digital rather than paper-based
  • Recyclable paper envelopes
  • Green Runner option to forego the t-shirt/medal in favour of donating to support The Ocean Cleanup
  • Medals ordered early to ensure delivery by sea rather than air freight
  • Any remaining medals recycled
  • Finisher t-shirts are eco-friendly using 50% recycled polyester
  • Donate remaining t-shirts/unanted clothing to charity

  • Chip timing
  • Eco medal
  • Eco t-shirt
  • Event app
  • iTAB
  • Training plan

Running the adidas Manchester Marathon will earn you a chunky medal that embodies the bold, vibrant atmosphere of the race and its city.

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • Fundraising support

    Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.

  • Branded running kit

    When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.

  • Support on the day

    When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!

  • Post-race recovery

    Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.

  • Exclusive social groups

    You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

What are charity places?

Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general/ballot entries are closed.

Running a marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Children

Make-A-Wish UK

Creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£31.20

Fundraise
£500

Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Training plan
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£400

Children

When you wish upon a Star

Granting magical Wishes to children with life threatening illnesses.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£250

Environment

WWF

Global conservation work to ensure people and nature both thrive.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training days
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Exclusive social group
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
  • Pre-event training sessions

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£400

Disability

Whizz-Kidz

Wheelchairs, equipment and services to empower young wheelchair users.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£400

Dementia

Alzheimer's Research UK

Funding world-class scientific research to make breakthroughs possible.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£350

Health and Medical

Epilepsy Society

Transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£500

Free sign up Rescue

North West Air Ambulance

Flying to save lives.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£350

Dementia

Alzheimer's Society

United to create a world without dementia.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Exclusive social group

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£400

Heart

British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer but the BHF is leading the fight against it.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£400

Social welfare

Victim Support

Where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£400

Health and Medical

Parkinson's UK

Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£350

Children

Child Bereavement UK

Supporting bereaved children and families to help rebuild their lives.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising incentives
  • Exclusive social group
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£50

Fundraise
£500

Animals

Cats Protection

For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

Children

Sands

Reducing the number of baby deaths.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£500

International

CAFOD - Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

CAFOD is there, wherever the need is greatest to ensure that no one is beyond reach.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£500

Free sign up Homelessness

Missing People

The only UK charity that reunites missing children and adults with their loved ones.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£350

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post
  • Series discount

Entry options

Individual Entry and UKA Affiliated Athletes

If you just want to turn up and run the Manchester Marathon, this is the simple entry for you. This option includes:

  • Guaranteed place on the start line
  • Personalised running bib posted in advance (UK residents only)

 

Individual Entry + Best Sellers Package

This premium option includes:

  • Guaranteed place on the start line
  • Personalised running bib posted in advance (UK residents only)
  • Official 2023 training t-shirt
  • Personalised medal insert

 

Two-Person Ticket

Enter two people into the adidas Manchester Marathon at the same time to get a discount. You must register both of you in one go to get this offer. Simply enter as an individual, add your friend onto the entry form and the discount will be automatically applied.

 

Relays

Run as part of a 2 or 4 person relay team, splitting the distance between you.

 

Groups and Clubs

Enter a group of 10 or more into the Manchester Marathon and you could save up to 20%.

 

Para Athletes

  • Elite Wheelchair Athletes
  • Day Wheelchair Athletes
  • Assistant/Guides
  • Other Disabled Athletes

 

Elite Entries

 

Charity Entry

Free charity entries are available plus sponsorship pledge.

Lovely race with amazing crowds. Really well organised and easy to get to event village. Frequent water stations with loads of gels. Not too crowded to run in, after a few miles there is loads of room. Great PB course; one of the flattest in the country. Fab medal and t-shirt. Jo H

 

Great atmosphere. Lots of spectators and support. Live roadside entertainment. Aid stations with energy gels. Lots of transport links into Manchester... Overall great marathon. Well worth doing. John H

My first marathon. The route was mainly flat with a couple of hills towards the latter part of the race. Crowd support was amazing and the organisation of the event was also very good. Great tshirt and medal. I would do this one again. Lynsey K

 

This is still one of my favourite marathons. Easier than London and the way things are with London these days my 'go-to' marathon. Manchester is a brilliant city with great links in and around it. Plenty of hotels to stay at. The race itself is just as good as all the other big marathons in the uk with tons of crowd support. Only a few short moments where there isn't someone shouting your name... I got my PB this time which was previously in London. Just a good all round event for the whole weekend. Daniel D

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck