The ASICS Manchester Half Marathon returns on Sunday 4 October 2026, bringing another huge celebration of running to the streets of Greater Manchester. With 31,000 runners signed up, the event has firmly established itself as one of the UK's biggest and most popular Half Marathons.

Starting and finishing at Emirates Old Trafford, the race is renowned for its fast, predominantly flat course that appeals to everyone from first-time Half Marathon runners to experienced athletes chasing a personal best. Generous closed roads, enthusiastic crowds and live entertainment combine to create an atmosphere that has become one of the event's defining features.

The route passes through Old Trafford, Stretford and Brooklands before returning to a long, flat finish that gives runners every opportunity to finish strongly. Although the detailed 2026 route is yet to be unveiled, organisers have promised even more cheer points, live music and entertainment along the course to keep participants motivated from start to finish.

Demand for places has continued to grow year after year, with the public entry allocation selling out after a record 31,000 registrations. While general entries are no longer available, a limited number of charity places remain, allowing runners to secure a place while supporting a wide range of worthwhile causes.

The Manchester Half has earned a reputation for combining elite organisation with an inclusive atmosphere. Whether you're chasing your fastest ever 13.1 miles, completing your first Half Marathon or fundraising for charity, the event offers an experience that is as memorable for the support on the sidelines as it is for the running itself.

Race weekend transforms the area around Old Trafford into a vibrant festival of running, with thousands of supporters creating an electric atmosphere from the first wave through to the final finishers. It's this combination of fast roads, passionate crowds and first-class organisation that continues to make the Manchester Half Marathon one of the highlights of the UK's autumn running calendar.

With race day approaching, the countdown is well underway to another memorable morning on the streets of Manchester as tens of thousands of runners prepare to take on one of Britain's premier Half Marathon events.

You can register for organiser updates here.

Image courtesy Manchester Half Marathon Media Unit.