Runners of this year’s popular Manchester Marathon will be the first to race a new route through the city centre taking in some of the city’s iconic landmarks before heading to the outer suburbs.

The full route map has just been released online showing the three-mile section into the city centre passing the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel amongst many others.

Passing Hotel Football, set upon the world famous backdrop of Old Trafford stadium, the route heads further south through Sale and Timperley.  The hugely popular Altrincham section remains, this time in a different direction to previous editions, at Mile 17. From there it’s back towards the north where runners eventually reach Chorlton – another first for the Marathon. For the final few miles the route continues towards Lancashire Cricket Club, crossing the finish line on Talbot road, outside UA92 university.

The Manchester Marathon’s continued growth has seen it become one of the five largest marathons in Europe, challenging heavyweights like London and Paris, with 25,000 runners expected at this year’s event on Sunday 5th April.

Nick Rusling, CEO of the Manchester Marathon, said “The flat and fast route is a large part of what draws runners to the Manchester Marathon. The new city section of the route and the introduction of four fan zones for 2020 is already helping to make this the biggest and best Manchester Marathon yet.”

Entries are selling out in record time, with just a handful of places remaining to snap up before public entries close on February 5th.

In another first this year, organisers have also released a dedicated Manchester Marathon app for participants and spectators, giving access to challenges and event information.

Head to manchestermarathon.co.uk for more information and to enter.