The Adidas Manchester Marathon returns on Sunday 18 April 2027, and demand has never been higher: more than 40,000 public places were taken in just ten days. For running clubs, charity teams, corporate teams and supporter groups, race day brings the same three transport problems: early starts, road closures across the route, and a start and finish in different places.
A private coach or minibus from The Manchester Coach Company solves all three. We collect your runners and supporters from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, drop runners within walking distance of the start in good time for their wave, and collect the whole group after the race from wherever suits you, with kit and dry clothes waiting on board.
Manchester Marathon 2027 at a glance
- Your pick-upan early start
- Runner drop-offwalking distance of the start
- Start arearunners only, on foot via the E2 Car Park
- Supporterson to a cheering point
- Collection pointyour choice, checked against the closures
- Homeor on to a post-race venue
| Event | Adidas Manchester Marathon 2027 (opens in a new tab) |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday 18 April 2027 |
| Start and finish | In recent years: start beside Old Trafford, finish on Oxford Road outside the University of Manchester (2027 route to be confirmed) |
| Wave times | Not yet published for 2027; runners receive set arrival times for the start area |
| Start area access | Runners only, on foot via the E2 Car Park at Old Trafford; no spectators |
| Parking | No official event parking; organisers strongly advise against driving |
| Pick-ups | Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Wigan and Warrington and surrounding Cheshire |
| Vehicles | Minibuses 8–16 seats, midi coaches 24–35, coaches 49–70+; executive coaches available; wheelchair-accessible on request |
| On board | Kit bags and a change of clothes stay on the coach; adults may drink in moderation |
Why take a coach to the Manchester Marathon?
- No driving, no parking. There is no official event parking, and the organisers strongly advise against driving (opens in a new tab) because of the number of road closures. A coach drops and collects, so nobody has to find a space.
- No packed trams with kit bags. The organisers ask supporters to stay off the trams to the start, and trams are busy all morning (opens in a new tab). Your group travels together from your own town.
- Kit waiting at the finish. Dry clothes, recovery food and bags stay on the coach and are waiting when runners are collected.
- One plan for runners and supporters. Runners go to the start; supporters go on to a cheering point; everyone travels home together.
- Easier for team organisers. Club secretaries, charity event managers and corporate organisers get one booking, one timetable and one contact for the day.
How race day works
- Tell us your groupSend us the number of runners and supporters, your pick-up points and, once known, your runners’ wave arrival times.
- Get your quoteWe match you with the right vehicle from our accredited fleet operator network. Any coach parking or layover is included.
- Agree the planYou tell us where you want runners dropped, where supporters want to watch from and where you want to be picked up after the event. We check each point works around the road closures and set the timings.
- Race morningYour driver collects the group and drops runners within walking distance of the start, then takes supporters on to their chosen spot.
- After the finishThe driver waits at your chosen collection point until everyone is back on board, then takes the group home or on to a post-race venue.
Planning your marathon day
A few things we talk through with every Manchester Marathon group:
- Start and finish are in different places. In recent years the race has started beside Old Trafford and finished on Oxford Road in the city centre. Plan the morning and the afternoon separately; we do.
- Leave early. Roads across the route close (opens in a new tab) for the day, runners have set arrival times for the start area, and there are queues for toilets and the bag drop. We plan your departure so runners are not rushing.
- The start area is runners only. Everyone enters on foot through the E2 Car Park at Old Trafford (opens in a new tab), and spectators are not allowed in. Supporters say goodbye at the coach.
- Choose your collection point. Tell us where you want to be picked up: near the finish, at a post-race pub or restaurant, or another meeting point. The finish sits inside the road closures, so we check the coach can reach your chosen point on the day, bearing in mind a sensible walk for tired legs. Share the point with the whole group before the day.
- Set the collection time around finish times. Runners finish over several hours. Tell us your group’s expected finish times and we’ll agree on a realistic collection time. The organisers’ live runner tracking helps supporters know when to head over.
- Pack for the coach. A change of clothes, warm layers and recovery snacks can stay on board, so runners don’t need to rely on the event bag drop.
- Charity teams. If your charity has a cheering point or post-race reception, tell us where it is and we’ll build it into the plan.
Pick-up areas
We collect Manchester Marathon groups across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, including Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Wigan and Warrington, and towns throughout Cheshire. Multiple pick-ups on one journey are always available, which is useful for running clubs whose members live across several towns. Parts of Trafford are on or near the marathon route, so for Trafford pick-ups we plan the timing and route around the closures.
Who we take to the Manchester Marathon
- Running clubs — members, coaches and supporters travelling together, with named account managers for repeat clients.
- Charity teams — runners raising money for good causes (opens in a new tab), plus the staff and families cheering them on.
- Corporate teams — colleagues running together for a company challenge or chosen charity.
- Supporter groups — families and friends who want to see the race without the tram crush or parking stress.
Corporate running teams
If your company is entering a team, the transport can be part of the day. We collect runners and supporters from your office or agreed meeting point, plan drop-off and collection around the race, and can take everyone on to a post-race celebration. Executive coaches are available, and repeat corporate clients get a named account manager.
Choosing the right vehicle
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Minibus | 8–16 | Small clubs and corporate teams |
| Midi coach | 24–35 | Running clubs and charity teams with supporters |
| Full-size coach | 49–70+ | Large clubs and combined runner-and-supporter groups |
Euro VI vehicles and executive coaches are available across our accredited fleet operator network, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available on request. Larger groups can be split across several vehicles travelling together.
How much does the Manchester Marathon coach hire cost?
The price depends on your group size, vehicle type, number of pick-ups and how long the driver is on duty, which on marathon day can be longer than a normal trip because of early starts and staggered finish times. Every quote includes any coach parking or layover.
See our coach hire prices page for a guide, or ask us for a free, no-obligation quote.
What we need to quote
- Number of runners and number of supporters
- Pick-up address or addresses
- Runners’ wave arrival times (once released) or expected start times
- Your group’s expected finish times
- Any charity cheering point or post-race venue you want to include
- Accessibility needs, and a contact name and mobile number for the day
Why use The Manchester Coach Company?
- Vetted operators. We work with a small number of accredited fleet operator partners we have known for many years, with their legal documents kept up to date.
- Your plan, checked against the closures. You choose the drop-off, supporter and collection points; we make sure the coach can reach them on the day.
- Local pick-ups. Collections across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with multiple stops on one journey.
- The driver waits. Your driver stays with the coach and your kit until everyone is back on board.
- 24/7 support. Our operations team is on hand around the clock, before and on the day.
Manchester Marathon coach hire FAQs
When is the Manchester Marathon 2027?
The Adidas Manchester Marathon 2027 takes place on Sunday 18 April 2027. The organisers have not yet published 2027 wave start times, so we confirm your timings once they are released.
Where does the Manchester Marathon start and
finish?
In recent years the race has started beside Old Trafford, under the Trafford Arch, and finished on Oxford Road outside the University of Manchester. The start and finish are in different places, so your transport needs to plan for both. The organisers will confirm the 2027 route.
Can the coach drop runners at the start line?
No vehicle can take runners right to the start. All runners enter the start area on foot through the E2 Car Park at Old Trafford (opens in a new tab), and only participants are allowed in. We agree a drop-off point with you that the coach can reach around the road closures, within walking distance of the start, and time it around your runners’ arrival times.
Can supporters travel on the same coach as the
runners?
Yes. The organisers ask supporters not to go to the start area, so we plan the day around that. Runners are dropped for the start, supporters are taken on to wherever they want to watch from (as long as the coach can reach it around the closures), and the whole group is collected together after the race.
How do you collect runners after the finish?
You choose where you want to be picked up after the event, whether that is near the finish, a post-race venue or a meeting point for the group. The finish is in the city centre, inside the road closures, so we check your chosen point can be reached by coach on the day and suggest the nearest workable option if not. We set the collection time around your group’s expected finish times, and your driver waits until everyone is back on board.
Is there parking for the Manchester Marathon?
No official parking is provided. The organisers strongly advise against driving (opens in a new tab) on event day because of the number of road closures. With a coach, there is nothing to park: any coach parking or layover your driver needs is included in your quote.
Can runners leave a change of clothes on the
coach?
Yes. Kit and bags stay on the coach with your driver and are waiting at the collection point after the race.
Where can you pick our group up?
We collect running clubs, charity teams and supporter groups across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, including Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Wigan and Warrington and surrounding Cheshire towns. Multiple pick-ups on one journey are always available.
How early will we need to leave?
Earlier than on a normal Sunday. Roads across the route close (opens in a new tab) from early morning, runners are given set arrival times for the start area, and there are queues for toilets and the bag drop. We plan your departure so runners arrive in good time for their wave.
Can we drink alcohol on the coach?
Adults may enjoy alcohol on board in moderation, for example on the journey home. School and youth journeys are always alcohol-free.
Do you have wheelchair-accessible vehicles?
Yes, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available on request. Please tell us about any access needs when you enquire so we can plan drop-off and collection points to suit.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can. More than 40,000 public places were taken for 2027 (opens in a new tab), and coaches for clubs and charity teams are in high demand on race day.
Book your Manchester Marathon coach
Race day transport books up early. Tell us how many runners and supporters you have and where you’re travelling from, and we’ll come back with a plan and a quote. Prefer to talk it through? Call +44 161 511 8176 or request a call back.