Manchester Regional Arena at SportCity is the main athletics track, and several clubs run open club nights across the city - here is how to get on track.
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2 main tracks in the city400m all-weather at SportcityClub nights for all abilities
Where to train
Manchester Regional Arena
Sportcity, East Manchester
400m all-weather track, floodlit
Full field event facilities
Built out of the 2002 Commonwealth Games
Track hire is available for clubs and coached groups, and several of the city's major athletics clubs use it as a home venue. A summer evening session is worth watching even if you are not running: juniors and national-level competitors often share the same track.
Longford Park Track
Chorlton
Home of Manchester Harriers & AC
Adult club nights, all abilities
Structured groups, not just open track
People training for their first 5K run next to people prepping for national championships, and the club structure means there is usually someone to run with rather than doing laps alone.
Getting started
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Do not join a club on day one
parkrun is the easiest on-ramp: free, no membership, Saturday mornings, and a lot of adult club runners started exactly there. Once you are committed, proper spikes and a technique session are worth the money.
Common questions
Do I need to be a club member to use a track?
Not at Manchester Regional Arena: it offers track hire for individuals and coached groups, not just registered clubs. Longford Park mainly runs through Manchester Harriers & Athletics Club.
What is the easiest way to start running seriously?
parkrun on a Saturday morning. It is free, timed, and the standard first step before most people think about joining a club.
Is Sportcity easy to reach without a car?
Yes. It is on the Etihad Campus in east Manchester, served by the Etihad Campus Metrolink stop and several bus routes.