Manchester Marathon 2025 full route and map explained with new finish line

Runners, get ready!

This weekend, thousands of people will attempt to achieve their personal best for a worthy cause as they undergo the Manchester Marathon.

Taking place on Sunday (April 27), which also happens to be the same date as the London Marathon this year, the event is expected to be undertaken by more than 36,000 participants.

Heralded as one of Europe’s largest marathons, the adidas Manchester Marathon will take in a stretch of 26.2 miles across Greater Manchester with thousands more people taking to the streets along the route to cheer on the runners.

There will be a number of races taking place on Sunday, including the Male and female elite races that will feature 2024 winner Adam Clarke and Melissah Gibson, who came second last year.

All participants will have been given a designated start time, which is set within ten-minute intervals, between 9am and 11.50am with the route taking in the likes of Chorlton, Hulme and Stretford.

This year’s marathon route has changed from previous years with a new finish line in place. Announced at the end of last year, the route will now finish in the city centre at The University of Manchester on Oxford Road.

If you’re taking part in the Manchester Marathon this year, or if you want to head out and cheer on participants, then we’ve rounded up this year’s route below.

What is the Manchester Marathon route for 2025?

As part of the 2025 route, runners will be able to take in the sights of some of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks, from Bridgewater Hall and Beetham Tower, to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ itself, Old Trafford.

Like in previous years, runners will still start under the Trafford Arch on White City Circle on the A56 in Trafford. From here, runners will head towards the city alongside Bridgewater Way before heading down Chorlton Road and reaching the newly-named-for-this-occasion Radio 1’s Laing Lane - named in honour of the TV presenter following his massive ultra-marathon charity achievement earlier this year.

Runners will then head back through Trafford, reaching the likes of Talbot Road and Stretford Public Hall, before going through Chester Road. Under the A56, the route will then transform into a ‘high-energy rave’ courtesy of Underground Kollectiv.

The route then heads into Sale and Timperley as participants make their way through Stockport Road to approach the half-way mark in Altrincham. Heading out of the town towards Baguley, runners will then go through Sale Moor and near Turn Moss Playing Fields before reaching Chorlton.

Participants will then go through Whalley Range and Hulme, before turning onto Oxford Road and setting sights on the new finish line.

What is the Manchester Marathon 2025 route map?

The route map can be seen below.

Along the route, performers, musicians, choirs, and dance collectives will be on hand to motivate participants and keep spirits high.

There will also be hydration and water stations for participants to stock up on supplies too.

What about bag drops, finish times, and road closures?

More information on the Manchester Marathon, including where to find bag drops and where to track runners, can be found in our handy guide right here.