Advice for Spectators
Advice for spectators – the start, the course, the finish and the big screen
The start
The start area will be busy but spectators can watch the start – all we ask is that you stay off the roadway and behind the barriers, and please allow runners plenty of room to get themselves into the assembly area. Some parts of the assembly area are for runners only – any areas with restricted access will be well signed and stewards will show you where you can stand.
The course
For a good vantage point to watch your friends and family head out onto the course you could line Chepstow Street, Great Bridgewater Street and Albion Street near Deansgate Lock – but again please stay off the roadway to allow the runners to pass!
If you want to get a look at the runners in action, why not head out to the halfway area? Near the Imperial War Museum North and outside Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground (where the club megastore and café will be open on race day) are both good points to watch the runners as they hit the halfway stage in Trafford.
You can walk over to both of these locations from Salford Quays which is served by the Eccles Metrolink line, car parks and has great shopping and leisure on hand as well. You can also get to Old Trafford via the Altrincham Metrolink line, but please note the Old Trafford stop is the Lancashire county cricket ground, about five minutes walk from Old Trafford football stadium along Warwick Road.
Big screens
Why not watch the Run unfold on the big screen? As well as general coverage of the run, we have a camera trained on the finish to give you a great chance of seeing your friends and family cross the line.
Please be aware that there are big screens in Spinningfields and Albert Square that will also feature the sprints. These will be live from 09:00 on race day and will show footage from the race and the finish once the event is underway at 10:05.
The finish
The finish area on Deansgate is open to spectators, but viewing at the finish line itself is limited. A good place to watch runners head out and back is along Chester Road and Bridgewater Viaduct south of the finish.
If you do watch from Deansgate please stand behind the barriers and off the roadway at all times. In the event that viewing areas on Deansgate become full the stewards will close off access to this area. You can also wait for runners at the relevant family reunion areas in Spinningfields beyond the Peter St/Quay St junction (for runners in the orange and green waves) and on Peter St (for runners in the blue, and pink waves).
Out on the course, please be aware that only those roads used for the race are closed to traffic so stay on the footpath at all times for your own safety. When crossing the course please do so with caution, and only when the road is not in use by the runners.