Half-marathon River Run in Manchester with Map

This there-and-back route takes you along the River Irwell with small detours to parks and nature reserves alongside. This route would be gorgeous to run in any weather and season; however, some of the pathways in Drinkwater Park and Nature Reserve can get a bit muddy when it rains.

Grab your cap, water bottle, and sunscreen and let’s go!

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Life for a Life Memorial Forest, as the name suggests, is a forest with numerous trees in memory of loved ones. In addition to memorial trees, you will find memorial benches all surrounded by meadows. This non-profit organisation has forests scattered throughout the UK. In the park, you will find a windfall orchard made up of apple trees planted by local schools together with the Manchester City of Trees as part of their “Trees for Learning” programme.

Leaving the forest, pass the dam on your left, then turn right towards New Hall Road. On New Hall Road, turn left to reach Bury New Road. Turn left at Bury New Road, then slightly right onto Great Clowes Street. Turn first right to walk through towards the River. Follow the path along the river as it bows, then cross the first bridge to your left into the Kersal Wetlands. Run along the outer edge of the wetlands, passing Harry’s Hill.

Kersal Wetlands were created as part of a £10 million flood protection project. You will find a wide variety of birds, wildflowers, and other wildlife set with the backdrop of the Manchester city skyline. Please keep to the pathways, as damaging the plant life and disturbing ground-lying bird nests is very easy. Try to spot the small buildings with magnificent graffiti on the walls.

You can also run on the inner edge of the wetlands (turning right after crossing the bridge) onto Grandstand Avenue, turning left, then immediately right to follow the pathway along the river again. If you run on the outer edge, follow the path along the river, turning right onto the main road, Cromwell Road. Then, turn right (fourth exit) at the roundabout onto Littleton Road. Just before the bridge, turn left to follow the pathway along the river and cross over the next bridge.

After about 1.3km, curve with the pathway to the right onto Cowling Street, then left onto Littleton Road, then left again onto Kersal Vale Road. At the next roundabout, continue straight, passing the bridge on your left and back onto the pathway that follows along the river. Just after the next bridge, turn left, where the path splits. At the second split, turn right towards the little stream of water passing Drinkwater Park. At the end of the pathway, turn left, then continue slightly right.

Drinkwater Park was once the site of the Irwell House, built around 1790 alongside the River Irwell. Irwell House and Drinkwater Park were then sold to the Salford and Prestwich Councils in 1902, and the House was converted into a smallpox hospital for isolation purposes. Sadly, it was eventually abandoned and left in ruins. During a civil defence exercise, the house caught fire and was eventually demolished. All that remains today is the foundation, a layer of stones, and some remnants of the gardens. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, and maybe some deer. If you’re fascinated by nature, you can download an app here which allows you to record your finds. You can also follow part of the sculpture trail, a 48km footpath with 28 art pieces. See the visitor guide here.  Please watch out for the Hogsweed along the pathways, which can cause painful blisters and rashes on the skin if you touch it.

Continue following the path that goes past the buildings to your left. At the end of the pathway, Prestwich Clough is on your right. Feel free to wander this way or turn left, then right onto Buckley Lane. Turn sharp left onto the pathway after passing the houses and open field on your left. At the end of the pathway, turn right, passing the body of water on your right. Just after passing the water, turn sharp left onto the main pathway passing the Drinkwater Park Nature Reserve on your left. At the three-way split, turn right towards Waterdale Meadow. From here, you can retrace your steps to where you started.

Prestwich Clough is a site of biological importance and was opened as a park in 1906. It once housed a bandstand, tea rooms, and a bleach and dye works. Since 2006, Prestwich Clough Day has been held in May with stalls and displays such as food stands, animal and nature groups, marching bands, clowns and more. Follow their Facebook page here for any updates.

Drinkwater Park Nature Reserve and Waterdale Meadow are both home to some magnificent wildlife, including the Kingfisher, Kestrels, sparrowhawks, buzzards, and peregrine falcons. You will also catch a glimpse of the 13 arches viaduct, a Grade II-listed structure currently disused and closed to the public. The viaduct stands in stark contrast to the lush meadows and flowerbeds beneath and beyond.

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Resources:

If you enjoyed this route, see our Dog-friendly run

Download the GPX File here.

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