It’s the Great Manchester Run and the Great CityGames this weekend

Thousands of people from across the U.K. and beyond will come to Manchester this weekend for two great sporting events-The Great CityGames and the Morrisons Great Manchester Run. Here’s our quick guide to all the things you need to know to enjoy the weekend’s events.

‘Europe’s biggest 10K
running event’

The Great CityGames brings paralympic, world and Olympic champions such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford to the city centre on Saturday 9 May. Track events will take place on Deansgate whilst field events will take place in Albert Square starting with the women’s pole vault at 11.15am.

Up to 40,000 runners are expected to take part in the Morrisons 10k Manchester Run – Europe’s biggest 10K running event – the following day, which will be broadcast live on BBC 2.

The runners will set off in waves from Portland Street by the junction with Oxford Street from 10.55 with the elite wheelchair race and finish on Deansgate near the Beetham Tower.

As you might expect, the start area will be incredibly busy on the day but spectators can still watch from this area. But this may not be the ideal place to set up shop!

We recommend streets near Deansgate Locks such as Great Bridgewater Street and Albion Street for a better viewing experience.

The halfway point of the race near Salford Quays also boasts great spots and is near other landmarks such as the Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford.

If you’re coming to visit Manchester from further afield, we would advise you to go to Salford Quays as both these landmarks are within walking distance, via the Eccles Metrolink line. These areas offer good car parking locations and some great shopping and leisure facilities for those who want something a little bit extra on the day.

The finishing area is open to spectators but viewing spaces at the finish line itself will be extremely limited. If this area becomes full, the marshals will close of access to this particular area, so it may be risky banking on seeing the runners here.

Friends and family of the runners can wait in the relevant areas in Spinningfields (for runners in the Orange and Green waves) and on Peter Street (for runners in the Blue, White and Pink waves). There is also the option to see runners cross the finish line.

Presentations will be made at 2pm to the top three men and women and the top three male and female wheelchair athletes. These will be made on the presentation stage at the Charity Village inside Manchester Central.

if you’re struggling to get a good spot to view the race, two large screens will also be available-the Virgin Trains screen on the forecourt at Manchester Central and one in Spinningfields by the Oast House stage. These will be live from 10am and will show footage from the run once underway.

Accompanying entertainment will also be available on the day with a variety of bands and DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of music for everyone to enjoy including The Fraudsters- an indie covers band, and The Blames, one of the city’s top rock and pop cover bands.

Many roads in the city centre will, of course, be closed for the Games and Run and parking restrictions will apply in many parts of the city centre. For full details please visit www.greatrun.org/great-manchester-run and www.greatcitygames.org