The Manchester Marathon route this weekend will take runners into the centre of Manchester for the first time.

Now the second largest in the UK, the ASICS Manchester Marathon is popular thanks to its flat course, which offers fast times.

The amended route takes a three-mile loop into the city centre, showcasing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel.

Roads will be closed, allowing an estimated 25,000 people to take part, and thousands more to gather in the city centre to watch.

The start will remain in its present location under the White City Arch, with the world-famous backdrop of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, and continue to offer its popular finish running past Trafford Town Hall and Lancashire Cricket Club.

This year’s event on Sunday, April 7, will see 20,000 runners take on the course.

Nick Rusling, CEO of the ASICS Manchester Marathon, said: “This event’s success is completely down to the people of Greater Manchester, they know this event belongs to them, and we’d like to thank them for helping make so many runners dreams come true.

“Many thought they might never run a marathon, or are running in memory of a loved one, with the incredible support they offer regularly being praised as the best in the world.

“We are all very excited to be heading into the centre of the city for the first time, and with this now being one of the largest marathons in Europe, it seems apt that we show off more areas of this remarkable city to our visitors and those watching at home.”