Manchester's streets will belong to runners on Sunday, October 4, bringing celebration and significant travel disruption around Old Trafford.

Anyone checking half marathon road closures should plan their journey before setting out, rather than relying on a familiar route.

The Manchester Half begins and ends near Old Trafford, with its 13.1-mile course drawing participants and supporters to the area.

Around 32,000 runners are expected, alongside tens of thousands of spectators, so busy trams and crowded pavements are part of the picture.

The first start is scheduled for elite wheelchair participants at 8:50am, followed by runners leaving in waves roughly nine minutes apart.

Those departures are expected to continue until around 11:07am, making the morning especially difficult for anyone trying to cross the course.

These half marathon start times also mean spectators should allow plenty of time to find a viewing spot before their runner passes.

Road restrictions around the event will apply before and during the race, and reopening will happen gradually rather than all at once.

Some roads may reopen by around 1pm, with most expected back in use by 4:30pm.

A few restrictions could remain until about 8:30pm, so an afternoon finish does not guarantee an easy evening drive.

That staggered timetable matters for residents making weekend plans as much as it does for people heading to the start line.

For the half marathon route, stops at Old Trafford, Stretford and Chorlton offer practical tram options for approaching different parts of the event.

Extra Metrolink trams are expected to operate, with staff at key stops helping passengers navigate the crowds.

Even with additional services, platforms and carriages may feel packed when runners and supporters arrive or leave together.

The sensible move is to check current travel updates before leaving, allow extra time and keep your return journey flexible.