LIVE: Manchester Half Marathon gets underway as 16,000 people take to the city centre - latest updates

Thousands of runners are set to take part in the Manchester Half Marathon which starts on Sunday morning. More than 16,000 runners are to take part in the 13.1 mile race, with the route this year covering more parts of the region than before.

Dozens of roads have been closed for the event which will attract thousands of spectators along the route.

Start times are staggered, with nine waves of competitors beginning with elite wheelchair getting underway at 8.55am and the final orange wave beginning at 10.30am. The start and finish area as in previous years will be near Old Trafford with the route going into the city centre for only the second ever time.

Runners will head up towards Deansgate, then turning and passing by Castlefield and along to Bridgewater Way. The run continues onto Chester Road for three miles, before leading onto Cross Street.

Runners will then turn a corner as they approach Sale, going along Broad Road and round, before continuing straight on for two miles. The course then turns right onto Edge Lane, passing Turn Moss Playing Fields, before heading back towards Old Trafford and finishing up on Talbot Road.

The below map also shows the full Manchester Half Marathon route and road cloures.

Our reporter Steve Topping will be providing life updates throughout the day.