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Jul 2013
12:18pm, 16 Jul 2013
1,080 posts
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Nelly
I see the organisers have confirmed on Facebook the date for the race next year will be 6th April, with "entries opening soon".
That's the same date as marathons in Brighton, Blackpool and Bungay (maybe Manchester should adopt a silent "b" to fit in :-p), and a week before VLM rather than the "traditional" spot a week after. I assume it will be slightly disappointing for some that it clashes with the relatively local Blackpool, and no doubt some of the multi-marathoners will have places already for Brighton. Personally I'm slightly disappointed that it is only two weeks after Wilmslow HM, so no real chance of aiming for a PB at both.
I've got a guaranteed place transferred from last year, so roll on the beginning of December and the beginning of marathon training 
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Jul 2013
12:27pm, 16 Jul 2013
48,956 posts
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plodding hippo
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Jul 2013
12:45pm, 16 Jul 2013
608 posts
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old mum
Aside from being too flat, what's the course like?
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Jul 2013
1:02pm, 16 Jul 2013
1,081 posts
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Nelly
OM - "too flat"??? I didn't run it this year, but I did run 18 miles that day supporting a friend, and live within 200m of part of the route so feel able to comment. Assuming it is the same course as last year (which it may not be as they changed the route from 2012), the course is generally flat on fully closed roads, mostly through the south-west Manchester suburbs. It doesn't enter Manchester City Centre, as it is fully contained within Trafford MBC and Manchester City Council have no wish to support the event/close city centre roads etc, so if you're after a "big city" marathon then it may not be for you. That said there were over 5,000 finishers this year, and the finish outside Old Trafford football ground is quite iconic (for those who like that sort of thing) so it possibly has the feel of a city marathon without the exact city location. The first couple of miles towards Manchester are through retail parks, so less well supported, but generally the inhabitants of Trafford have embraced the race and so the rest of the route is almost all well supported (the exception being about 2miles at about 30km along more rural roads).
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Jul 2013
1:12pm, 16 Jul 2013
1,026 posts
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monsenb1
well VLM doesn't exactly feel feel big city 'til you cross Tower Bridge and has lots of quiet bits....
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Jul 2013
1:15pm, 16 Jul 2013
647 posts
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mushroom
6th April - that's 3 weeks earlier than this year. Wonder if they are limited by football stadium availability?
OM - I ran it this year. Not sure a marathon can be too flat..?! The hilliest part is probably into and out of Altrincham over the railway bridge but, as Nelly says, the course might change. Although it doesn't go through Manchester (or Salford) city centres I thought the atmosphere was excellent, the organisation was pretty good, and I am considering running it again.
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Jul 2013
1:20pm, 16 Jul 2013
1,691 posts
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Crooked-smile
is there a (good) medal?
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Jul 2013
1:22pm, 16 Jul 2013
48,958 posts
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plodding hippo
yes
I shall however be at Brighton
waht a pity
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Jul 2013
1:29pm, 16 Jul 2013
649 posts
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mushroom
For CrookedSmile:
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Jul 2013
1:33pm, 16 Jul 2013
1,082 posts
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Nelly
CS - If you Google "greater manchester marathon medal" you can find images of both this years medal and last. I prefer last years as it unique.
mushroom - They are definitely limited by availability due to football fixtures. The reason they changed the course this year was due to complaints about the previous year. I haven't heard any significant complaints about the route this year, so I'd imagine it will be the same. In the meantime I'll continue my preparation by doing my "hill training" over the railway bridge you mentioned
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