To ensure you have the best experience, we’ve laid out some travel advice to ensure both you and your supporters are prepared for the event on Sunday 27th April 2025.
GENERAL ADVICE
- Continue to check the Transport for Greater Manchester website and their social media for the latest updates on the event weekend.
- You can also find event specific travel information on the TfGM's dedicated page.
- Plan your journey well in advance and add additional time for potential queues both during your journey and for when you arrive with queues likely in the start area for toilets and bag drop.
- If you are early for your wave’s dedicated arrival time, please don’t attempt to enter the start process, unless called to do so.
- If you miss your arrival time, it’s likely you will still be able to start with a later wave, but please do everything possible to arrive at your allocated time.
PARTICIPANTS
First time to Manchester? Getting around is simple with the city’s Metrolink tram system. There are 99 stops on the network with many close to the event start, finish line and along the route.
Services will begin operating from 7am on event day morning. Closer to the event, timings will be provided for the first tram on each line.
GETTING TO THE EVENT
We recommend the following Tram Stops to get to the start area, and to depart the finish area:
ARRIVALS PRIOR TO 8:45am
If you are planning to arrive for the start of your wave prior to 8:45am we would advise you to arrive at Old Trafford tram stop and walk 10 minutes to the start area (Bag Drop, Toilets and start access area) located outside Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
ARRIVALS AFTER 8:45am
For anyone planning to arrive after 8:45am we would advise you to arrive at Wharfside or Exchange Quay tram stops. This is due to the need to cross the route from Old Trafford tram stop at that time.
Although no tram stops will be closed for the event, participants are advised not to travel to Old Trafford or Trafford Bar if arriving after 8:45am as the Start Area is not as easily accessible from these stations and you will need to wait to cross over the busy route (at the designated crossing areas), to reach the start area, which may cause delays to your journey.
See below table which shows which station to use based on your start access time:
Please note: all runners must access the start area from the E2 Car Park at Old Trafford Stadium to go through the start process, even if you arrive ‘run ready’ with no need to use the Bag Drop. Toilets are also located in this area.
Make sure that you check your journey in advance and leave plenty of time for busy trams and possible queues. For service updates across the weekend visit the Metrolink website.
The Metrolink website will also provide information about ticket prices, tram frequency and more.
If you’re arriving on the morning of the event, we recommend traveling to Piccadilly or Victoria station. From here you can then connect with Metrolink trams (refer to the above section) to take you to the start line.
If you’re arriving at Oxford Road train station, you will need to make the short walk to St Peter’s Square tram stop, where you can then board a tram.
PARK AND RIDE
Park and Ride using the Metrolink is a quick and easy solution to travel to the event, without worrying where to leave your car. This is a free service to passengers with a valid Metrolink ticket.
See below locations and no. of spaces:
- East Didsbury – 302 spaces.
- Brooklands – 108 spaces.
- Navigation Road – 81 spaces.
- Sale Water Park – 300 spaces.
- Ladywell – 250 spaces. Recommended, trams stop at Exchange Sq.
- Parkway – 360 spaces. Recommended, trams stop at Wharfside
Head to the Transport for Greater Manchester Park & Ride website for more details on these locations and the service.
CAR PARKING
Official Parking is not provided at this event. The route requires a significant number of road closures across the Sunday and we strongly dissuade you from driving on event day as road closures are likely to cause congestion on other parts of the network, potentially causing additional traffic and delays to your journey.
PARKING AT MANCHESTER UNITED FC (START AREA)
If you would like to park, MUFC opens up a limited number of pre-paid parking spaces at £16 per space if booked in advance. If not sold out prior, the price will increase to £20 per space on event day. This car park closes at 8pm.
Whether you use this or any other public car park please keep in mind that many roads will be closed for the event so please ensure you plan a route that avoids road closures. Unobstructed access to the MUFC car park is possible from the M60 (Junction 9), and M602 (Junction 2). Instructions on driving to MUFC car parks on event day can be found here.
Event road closure details can be found here.
Please note MUFC parking is operated independently of the event organisers.
FINISH LINE & DISABLED PARKING
Please do not park at the NHS Car park at Manchester Royal Infirmary as these are for use by the public and those needing access to the hospital on the day of the event.
There are a number of car parks situated near the finish line where you can travel to the start line via Metrolink. We advise using the following car parks these can also be used for anyone requiring blue badge parking. We advise booking in advance of the event day to secure a guaranteed space.
- Q Park – First Street (28 disabled bays)
- NCP – Manchester Palace (4 disabled bays)
- NCP - Manchester Oxford Street (6 disabled bays)
- NCP – Manchester Central (15 disabled bays)
- APCOA – Manchester China Town (disabled bays unknown)
- Q Park – Piccadilly Place (30 disabled spaces)
We suggest the following locations for supporters including supporters with disabled access needs:
- Manchester Aquatic Centre (disabled bays unknown)
- NCP – Circle Square (38 disabled bays)
NEED ANY HELP?
If this is your first adidas Manchester Marathon or you’re unfamiliar with the area we understand that you might have a lot of questions.
Most key questions and common queries are answered in our soon to be released Participant Guide (keep an eye on your emails), or you’ll likely find what you need from the relevant pages on our website.
If you have any remaining questions, please visit our HELP CENTRE.