Travel advice for the Greater Manchester Marathon

Transport for Greater Manchester logo

Around 12,000 runners are expected to compete in this weekend’s ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, which will mean some changes to roads and transport in the Trafford area.

The Sunday marathon (10 April) starts at 9am on Bridgewater Way, 200m past the Trafford Arch, and finishes on Talbot Road. Rolling road closures will be in place from 6am to 6pm along the route, which takes in Trafford Wharf Road, Sale, Brooklands, Timperley, Altrincham, Urmston and Stretford areas.

Metrolink is the easiest way to get to and around the course and extra trams will run to meet demand, particularly on the Altrincham line. Trafford Bar is the closest stop to the start line, while the closest Metrolink stops to the race village are Old Trafford and Exchange Quay (less than ten minutes’ walk).

Motorists are being encouraged to avoid the area where possible and use Metrolink, as severe road delays are expected. Full details of road closures and a guide on which areas to avoid is available at:

http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/race-info/road-closure-info/

This year’s new route means that Talbot Road and parts of Chester Road are closed and bus passengers should check before they travel. A detailed list of bus service diversions can be found at www.tfgm.com. Altrincham Interchange bus stops will be closed from 8am to 1pm and bus services will be using Lloyd Street, Barrington Road and Brooklands Roundabout as their start and end points.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Events Manager, John Fryer, said: “We’ve worked closely with event organisers and transport operators to make sure the marathon and transport arrangements run as smoothly as possible.

“Metrolink is the easiest way to travel to the race so it’s great that they are running extra trams. I’d encourage runners, spectators, family and friends to use Metrolink to travel to the event with hundreds of free Park and Ride spaces for customers available across the tram network.”

Ticket should be purchased before boarding the tram from machines on all Metrolink platforms. A range of tickets and travelcards are available to buy in advance from the get me there app, available from Apple app and Google Play stores.

Free Park and Ride car parking is available for Metrolink customers across the tram network – including hundreds of spaces at East Didsbury and Sale Water Park stops.