AJ Bell Great Manchester Run Event Guide

Event Guide 2024

The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on the important things: soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying your run.

We’ve got all the info you need here, but you can also check out greatrun.org for last-minute changes and the FREE Great Run app for on-the-day information, live tracking and opportunities to donate to runners’ chosen charities for family and friends.

And to follow all the action as it happens, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 11am -1pm

Timetable

07:00 Information Point open

08:15 ELITE WHEELCHAIR (10K)

08:20 ORANGE WAVE START (HALF MARATHON)

08:39 GREEN WAVE START (HALF MARATHON)

11:25 ELITE WOMEN (10K)

11:40 ELITE MEN (10K)

11:40 FAST PACED & ORANGE WAVE (10K)

11:59 RED WAVE (10K)

12:02 GREEN WAVE (10K)

12:45 PURPLE WAVE (10K)

13:03 PINK WAVE (10K)

Travel

Our top tip: where possible, make use of the public transport options available on the day. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website here to plan your journey by car, train, tram, bus, bike, or on foot. For live travel updates on the day, follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

Leave plenty of time to get to the start line as there will be a number of road closures in place for the weekend. You can see a full list here.

Any travel updates will be added to the website, so please check the event page ahead of the event.

Please see below for nearest tram stations:

St. Peter’s Square

Piccadilly Gardens

Deansgate-Castlefield

Approx. 5 minute walk to information point and baggage area.

Approx. 5 minute walk to assembly area.

Approx. 12 minute walk to information point and baggage area

Approx. 7 minute walk to assembly area.

Approx. 9 minute walk to information point and baggage area

Approx. 15 minute walk to assembly area.

Information Point

The Information Point is there for last-minute queries, anyone who hasn’t received their race number, or race pack collection for anyone who enters after the cut-off date. Look out for the Great Run branded marquee.

Location

Great Northern Square

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Opening Times

Saturday 25th May: 10am - 4pm

Location

Manchester Central Forecourt what3words: ///closer.await.acid

Opening Times

Sunday 26th May: 7:00am - 3:30pm

Jog On Shoe Recycling

You’ll also find our Jog On Shoe Collection point next to the Information Point, where runners can donate old and unwanted trainers.

Safety Pins

No safety pins for your race number? No worries. You can collect some from the stand next to the Information Point without having to queue.

Wave & Start Time

Your wave colour and start time can be found on your run number, which should arrive in the post approximately 2 weeks before the event. Once you’ve received it, you have everything you need for event day, and you don’t need to visit the Information Point to register on the day. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached) to the front of your running top with safety pins and head to the start line.

Making your way to the start

Coloured signs will direct you to the assembly and start point for your wave on the day (see start map)

Assembly Access Point Event / Wave Colour

Princess Street

Charlotte Street

Dickinson Street

Half Marathon – Orange wave

10K – Orange wave/Purple Wave

Half Marathon – Green wave

10K – Red wave/Green wave/Pink wave

Half Marathon - Fast paced (yellow/white striped numbers)

10K - Fast paced (yellow/white striped numbers)

Baggage

Baggage is located in Manchester Central Charter Foyer what3words ///builds.pram.along

Fill in your baggage label (tear off from your run number) before leaving the house and make sure it is secured to your bag. You’ll need your run number to gain access to Manchester Central to drop off and collect your bag, so we can ensure it corresponds to the baggage label.

• Sorry, but Manchester Central is not for changing.

• Please make room for other runners as soon as you’ve dropped off your bag - thank you!

• Please don’t leave valuables in your bags - this is a self-service system and, although there are security staff present, we can’t accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Please note - Bag checks will take place in Manchester Central so please allow plenty of time to deposit your bag. The baggage area will be open from 07:00 to give you plenty of time to do this.

Your Run Number

Your run number must only be worn by you on the day, and it should match the master number on your covering letter. If it’s different, please contact Customer Services here.

Please don’t swap, copy, or change this number - passing your number on to someone else could put them at risk from illness or injury if they’re not properly prepared. If your run number hasn’t arrived through the post, please visit the information point to collect a replacement.

Please Note: if you secured your entry after 10am on Friday 17 May, your run number hasn’t been posted out and must be collected from the Information Point. We are also unable to send race packs outside of the UK as we cannot guarantee their delivery, so will need to be collected from the Information Point.

Timing

Your timing chip is attached to the back of your run number. Please don’t remove the chip – it will affect the accuracy of your time. The chip will automatically record your time for you, and you don’t need to do anything else. Your chip doesn’t need to be returned at the end of the run.

You can access your results on the AJ Bell Great Run Series App, or on our website here after the event.

Warm Up

A warm-up artist will be on site to get you warmed up and stretched out. Waves set off separately to help regulate the flow of runners through the course.

Pacers

Achieve your best time with the help of the SOLGAR pacemakers. Follow a pacemaker marked with the time you want to achieve and pace your run to perfection.

Running with friends Walking

If you want to run with a friend but have different coloured run numbers, you can drop back to run together in the same wave, but not move forward.

If you plan on walking or walking/running the event, please start at the rear of your wave and stay to the left-hand side of the road. If you’re walking at less than 17 minutes per mile, you may be asked to move on to the footpath for the later sections of the race.

Start & Finish Map

Course Maps

Entertainment Map

Don’t stop immediately – please keep walking for a short distance so that you don’t block other runners. No matter your pace, everyone has run the same event, and everyone will get to cross the finish line.

At the finish line Medical Support

Medical facilities will be available near to the start and finish line and will be positioned around the course should you require assistance. Please contact a medic or steward if you need help at any time.

Toilets

There will be a number of toilets at the start on Princess Street and Charlotte Street, in St. Peter’s Square and at the finish on Peter Street.

There will also be toilets available on the course (see map for details). Toilet facilities will be busy before and after the run, so please allow plenty of time.

Hydration

Aqua Pura water stations will be situated at key points on the route to help you stay hydrated (see course map).

Whilst you’re running, remember to drink, drain and aim your water bottles into our on-course bottle collection points.

The bottles we use are 100% recycled and recyclable, with a flip cap to ensure it stays with the bottle all the way to the collection point.

Finishers’ Packs

Finishers’ packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include a bottle of water, your medal, and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the t-shirt size you chose when you entered the event.

T-Shirt Opt Out

If you selected ‘No T-shirt’ at the time of entering the event, you will not receive a finishers’ t-shirt.

Please follow the signage to the ‘No T-shirt’ lane. This will clearly indicated on your running number and there will be volunteers and stewards on hand to help.

PLEASE NOTE: If you selected no T-shirt, you cannot take a T-shirt on the day. There are only enough on site for all those who requested one at the time of entering.

The Event Village on Peter Street, and Charity Village on Deansgate is open to everyone and features a range of activities and exhibitors for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to pop in to check out the stands. Family and friends will be able to wait for runners on Deansgate as they cross the finish line and exit the finish system.

Event & charity village Après Run

The fun doesn’t stop after you’ve crossed the finish line. Continue the highenergy celebration and embrace the post-run high by stepping into our Après Run Zone, located at Great Northern Square. We’ve got a Heart Radio DJ truck providing club anthems.

Post-Race Massage

Enjoy a post-race massage courtesy of our Official Holiday Partner TUI. The TUI Blue massage team can be found in the Manchester Central alongside the bag drop point.

Meeting Point

Please arrange to meet family and friends at the Meeting Point at Manchester Central forecourt. Look for the large A-Z banners and stand by the one that corresponds to the first letter of your surname.

Missing Persons

A missing persons point is located next to the Information Point on Manchester Central forecourt. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official or police officer.

Official Photos

Event photos will be going live from the moment you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer on the course. Don’t forget to check them out here when you finish and share your run number with your friends and family, and they can register to be notified as soon as your photos are available.

Runners Reward

You have exclusive access to Great Run Rewards powered by Endurance Zone. Great Run Rewards gives you access to a selection of fantastic discounts from our friends at Endurance Zone. Browse through hundreds of offers from a range of lifestyle, sport, fitness and outdoor brands.

Recycling

We’re constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and are making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event.

We work with local partners to remove waste (plastic, cardboard, wooden pallets, medals and signage) from the run site. We reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled. Clothing discarded by runners at the start of the race is collected and donated to the British Heart Foundation.

• We ask that you please use the recycling bins on site to discard any waste accordingly.

• As part of our sustainability drive, there will be no bottled water at the start area. Please arrive hydrated, or bring your own supply, which you may carry with you while you run.

• There will be three water stations along the Half Marathon route and one on the 10k route.

• Look out for our new on-course bottle collection points after each water station, and drink, drain and aim to help us recycle your Aqua Pura bottle.

• If you opt to bring your own standard, single-use plastic water bottle, please make sure you throw it in the clearly marked recycling bins that will be available in the start and finish area.

Saturday 25 May

Find Your Superpower

Calling all future running stars! The theme of this year’s AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run is ‘Finding your Superpower’…

We want each and every one of our young runners and spectators to feel empowered and discover their own superpower – whether this is racing, fundraising or being a superstar spectator.

As well as striving to be their best, we’re also inviting our enthusiastic runners (big and small!) to come in superhero fancy dress! We’re thinking capes, eye masks and something else to showcase your own power.

Timetable

08:00 Information Point open (Manchester Regional Arena - Etihad Campus)

09:40 Mini Assembly Open

09:53 Mini Warm Up

10:00 Start - Mini Great Manchester Run

10:30 Presentations for the Mini Great Manchester Run

10:45 Mascot Dash

10:50 Junior Assembly Open

11:03 Junior Warm Up (Red & Blue wave)

11:10 Start - Junior Great Manchester Run - Red Wave

11:12 Start - Junior Great Manchester Run – Blue Wave

11:40 Presentations for the Junior Great Manchester Run (Red & Blue waves)

Missing persons

A missing person point is located within the Manchester Regional arena. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer.

Access Map

Access by car will be from Alan Turing Way into the Blue Car Park as shown on the map below. From here follow the pink route shown on the map for access from the car park into the arena.

Please note: you must use the City Link walkway to access the arena via the gate on Rowsley St as shown – there will be no access via any other points into the arena.

If arriving via MetroLink please alight at the Etihad Campus stop and follow the City Link walkway to the access gate on Rowsley St.

Start & Finish Map

Have a happy & healthy run

Please talk to your doctor before the event if you have any long-term health conditions or any health concerns. Don’t run if you feel unwell or have been ill recently. If you experience heart palpitations, light headedness or dizziness, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, excessive wheezing, or severe joint and muscle pain during or after your run, this can be a sign of a serious condition.

Seek advice on taking part in the event after a bout of flu or gastroenteritis. Don’t be tempted to start just because you’ve collected sponsorship to raise money for charity - staying fit and well is the most important thing.

Event day tips

Make sure you’re comfortable. Ideally, run in your shoes for around a month before your Great Run challenge.

Stay warm. Bring old clothes to wear on the start line and throw them away when you start (we donate these to charity).

Avoid chafing. Apply Vaseline to any areas prone to chafing – e.g. groin, upper thighs, under your arms, around your bra band or toes.

Protect your skin. Use weather resistant sun cream if it’s sunny.

If the first few miles are crowded, don’t tire yourself out dodging in and out. Try to maintain a steady, even pace to help you enjoy the event.

When you finish, collect your bag ASAP. Put on some warm, dry clothing and don’t get cold. Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the finish line.

Try to eat some starchy foods within two hours of finishing the event – your muscles can replace energy most efficiently during this post-run window.

Make sure you’re fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the colour of your urine is a useful indicator of hydration. Pale straw-coloured water is ideal.

During your run, drink when you need to. Don’t take big gulps if you’re not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatraemia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.

Make sure you know where the drink stations are on route. Water will be available, but only take a drink if you need one.

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