The Great Manchester Run is almost upon us and though the weather is shifting after a gloriously sunny few days, nothing will dampen the spirits of those taking part as they come from far and wide.
Known for being Europe's biggest 10km race, tens of thousands of runners are set to descend on the city ready to take on the course, which also includes the half marathon, junior and mini run.
The event will take place on Sunday, May 19, with 30,000 competitors expected to take part and not forgetting the hundreds, maybe even thousands more offering their support to those taking on the challenge.
And did you know there's going to be a Haçienda rave zone at the event this year? We can't think of a better way to get you hyped for a run.
It's set to be a jam packed day so here's everything you need to know about the Great Manchester Run 2019:
What route does the Great Manchester Run take?
The 10k and half marathon have two different routes - with the half marathon an extra 6.9 miles. You can view the interactive maps HERE.
10km route
The 10km run starts just off Oxford Road on Portland Street, and continues down onto the A56 towards Old Trafford and then back towards Deansgate. The finish line is at Great Bridgewater Street.
Half marathon route
The half marathon starts and continues along the same journey as the 10k, until taking a big left at the Mancunian Way to continue all the way up to Etihad Stadium before joining the 10k route back down past Old Trafford and back up to the Deansgate area.
Please note: the course may be subject to change.
What time is the Great Manchester Run?
This year, the 10k and half marathon will commence on May 19 2019.
Here is the current timetable on the day:
| 07:30 | Information desk opens in Albert Square for pack collection and queries |
| 08:15 | Start area opens for half marathon |
| 08:50 | Warm-up starts (half marathon) |
| 09:00 | Start of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run Half Marathon WAVE 1 |
| 09:10 | Start of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run Half Marathon WAVE 2 |
| 11:30 | Baggage buses open for 10k |
| 12:00 | Start area opens for 10k Orange Wave BBC coverage starts |
| 12:15 | Start area opens for 10k White Wave |
| 12:30 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Elite Wheelchair start |
| 12:45 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Elite Women start |
| 12:55 | Warm-up starts (Orange and White Waves) |
| 13:02 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Elite Men & Fast Paced Club Runners and Orange Wave start |
| 13:25 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k White Wave start Start area opens for Purple and Blue Waves |
| 13:50 | Warm-up starts (Purple and Blue Waves) |
| 13:55 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Purple Wave start |
| 14:00 | BBC coverage finishes |
| 14:05 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Blue Wave start Start area opens for Green Wave |
| 14:25 | Warm-up starts (Green Wave) |
| 14:30 | Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k Green Wave start |
Timetable is provisional and times are subject to change.
Which roads will be closed for the Great Manchester Run?
In alphabetical order, the following roads will be closed from 4am -
Chepstow St: from Oxford St to Great Bridgewater St
Deansgate: from Whitworth St West to John Dalton St
Dickinson St
Peter St: from Mount St to St Peters Square
Portland St: from Oxford St to Princess St
St John St: from Deansgate to Byrom St
In alphabetical order, the following roads will be closed from 6am -
Mancunian Way (East and West bound): from Fairfield St to Regent Rd
In alphabetical order, the following roads will be closed from 7am -
Alan Turing Way: From Ashton New Rd to Ashton Old Rd
A5063 Trafford Rd: from White City Circle Roundabout to Salford City Boundary
A5063 White City Circle
A56 Bridgewater Way: from Chester Rd to Wharfside Way
A56 Chester Rd: from Bridgewater Way to Bridgewater Viaduct
A56 Chester Rd: from White City Circle roundabout to Sir Matt Busby Way
A5801 Wharfside Way: from White City Circle Roundabout to Salford City Boundary
Abingdon St
Alan Turing Way: from Ashton Old Rd to Ashton New Rd & from Ashton New Rd to Wilson St southbound
Ashton Old Rd: from Alan Turing Way to Pin Mill Brow
Atkinson St: from Byron St to Deansgate
Bloom St: from Chorlton St to Princess St
Bootle St: from Deansgate to Southmill St
Bridgewater Viaduct
Byrom St: from Quay St to Hardman St
Central St: from Southmill St to Lloyd St
Chepstow St: from Oxford St to Great Bridgewater St
Chester Rd: from Bridgewater Way to Bridgewater Viaduct
Chester Rd: from Mancunian Way Roundabout to Cornbrook
Chester Rd: from Hadfield St to Bridgewater Way
Chorlton Rd: from Jackson St to Mancunian Way
Chorlton St: from Portland St to Silver St
City Rd East: from Albion St to Great Jackson St
Cross St: From Cross St to John Dalton St
Elevator Rd: from Wharfside Way to Trafford Wharf Rd
Ellesmere St: from Hulme Hall Rd to Chester Rd
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Fairfield St: from Ashton Old Rd to Mancunian Way
Great Bridgewater St: from Oxford St to Deansgate
Great Jackson St: from City Rd East to Chester Rd
Hardman St
Hulme Hall Rd: from Ellesmere St to Chester Rd
Jacksons Row
Lloyd St
Major St: from Sackville St to Princess St
Manor St: at Mancunian Way
Midland St: from Hooper St to Ashton Old Rd
Minshul St: from Portland St to Aytoun St
Oxford St: from Peter St to Whitworth St West
Peter St: from Deansgate to Mount St
Pin Mill Brow: from Fairfield St to Mancunian Way
Portland St: from New York St to Princess St
Princess St: from Albert Square to Portland St
Quay St: from Deansgate to Byrom St
Sackville St: from Portland St to Major St
Silver St: from Minshul St to Chorlton St
Sir Alex Ferguson Way
Sir Matt Busby Way
Southmill St
Trafford Rd: from Exchange Quay to Trafford Rd
Trafford Wharf Rd: from Warren Bruce Rd to Trafford Rd
Warren Bruce Rd: from Wharfside Way to Trafford Wharf Rd
Wharf End: from Trafford Wharf Rd to Trafford Rd
In alphabetical order, the following roads will be closed from 8.30am -
Ashton New Rd: between Ashton New Rd Gate 11 to Alan Turning Way
Albion St: from Whitworth St West to Medlock St
Medlock St: from Albion St to River St
Whitworth St: from Albion St to Gloucester St
ROAD RE-OPENING TIMES
11:00: Ashton New Rd
12:00: Alan Turning Way
12:30: Ashton Old Rd, Chorlton Rd, Fairfield St, Manor St, Midland St, Pin Mill St and Mancunian Way
15:45: Albion St, City Rd East, Great Jackson St, Medlock St and Whitworth St
17:15: Peter St, Portland St, Abingdon St, Bloom St, Bridgewater St, Byrom St, Chepstow St, Chrolton St, Cross St, Great Bridgewater St, Major St, Minshul St, Princess St, Sackville St, Silver St and Oxford St
18:30: all remaining on course roads
19:30: Deansgate from Whitworth St West to Peter St
21:00: St John St
23:00: Tonman St
Where can I watch the runners?
Chepstow Street, Great Bridgewater Street or Albion Street near Deansgate Locks are good vantage points for both the half marathon and 10k.
Or you can head out to the 10km halfway area near Old Trafford stadium (at 10 miles/4k).
A big screen will be showing footage from 9am on Sunday near the finish line on Deansgate.
Deansgate is is also where you'll find Event Village, where you can pick up free samples, food treats and special offers.
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