Travellers are advised to plan their journeys carefully as thousands prepare to venture out and partake in the Manchester Half Marathon and attend the Super League Final this weekend.

This year marks the largest Manchester Half Marathon yet, with over 24,000 runners set to participate on Sunday.

The race will begin and end near Old Trafford, passing through locales like Chorlton, Sale, Stretford, and Hulme, with thousands also anticipated to line the streets in support.

The weekend is also set to be a sports extravaganza, with approximately 60,000 Rugby League enthusiasts expected to converge on Old Trafford this Saturday for the Super League Grand Final featuring Wigan Warriors versus Hull KR.

Due to the half marathon, significant road closures and extensive bus diversions will be in effect this Sunday.

It is strongly recommended to avoid driving in the impacted areas to prevent congestion and delays.

Before embarking on a road journey, it’s advisable to review the map route and the comprehensive list of road closures. Bus passengers should consult with their respective bus operators to determine if the race may alter routes or schedules.

Using the tram is the optimal choice for navigating on race day, as it helps avoid delays caused by road closures and bus reroutes.

Participants in the challenge should use Old Trafford, Trafford Bar, or the Imperial War Museum as starting points on Bridgewater Way. It is also advised that access to Pomona, Cornbrook, Exchange Quay, and Wharfside will be challenging due to the half marathon course.

Additionally, numerous stops are conveniently situated near spectator points along the event route. Official cheering zones are located at Deansgate Interchange and Wharfside, while the neighbourhoods of Stretford, Sale, and Chorlton provide perfect locations to support the participants.

Trams across the network will operate every 15 minutes. However, the Altrincham to Crumpsall line will benefit from an additional service, resulting in a frequency of every 7.5 minutes.

All lines, especially the Eccles, Altrincham, and Trafford Park Lines, are anticipated to experience higher-than-usual passenger traffic throughout the day.

Metrolink park and ride locations offer an alternative for drivers who wish to bypass road closures and potentially contribute to reducing city centre congestion.

There are 24 locations where drivers can park for free and board a tram, with Parkway being a convenient option for many.

Attendees of Saturday’s Super League Final are encouraged to utilize public transport as much as possible.

Metrolink is set to operate a service every six minutes to Old Trafford on the Altrincham line. Additionally, there will be a service every 12 minutes to Wharfside on the Trafford Park Line and Exchange Quay on the Eccles line.

Those who have to drive should note that there will be one lane out of use on the A56 heading northbound near Barton Road, with delays of around 10 to 15 minutes expected before the fixture.

Additional travel advice and information for attendees of the game is available on the Bee Network website https://tfgm.com/the-bee-network

“It’s shaping up to be a really exciting weekend with two wonderful events that thousands of people will be heading out to enjoy – showcasing what Greater Manchester is all about.

We want everyone to have a great time and avoid hold-ups and delays wherever possible, which is why I’d encourage anyone travelling in the half marathon area in particular to plan ahead and allow themselves plenty of time for their journey.

Tram will definitely be the best way to get around and if you’re coming to cheer someone on why not avoid the busy start and finish points and cheer on your runner from one of the lovely places along the route, such as Sale or Chorlton.

For those who really have to drive our Metrolink park and ride sites are a great option. You can park for free and let a tram take you to your destination, without having to worry about congestion on the roads.”

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM