Details of Reading Half-Marathon road closures released
15,000 runners will take to the streets in just over two weeks time
THE STREETS of Reading will once again be taken over by thousands of runners when the Reading Half Marathon returns on Sunday 2 April.
Participants taking on the 13-mile course range from elite athletes to enthusiastic amateur runners.
The half-marathon starts and finishes inside the Select Car Leasing stadium. With a shorter Green Park Challenge taking place alongside the main half marathon.
As usual, there will be a number of road closures around the route of the half marathon, full details of all routes and roads affected can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events/reading-half-marathon
Participants in the main race are due to gather at Green Park for a 10.15 am start when they will then embark on a route around Reading, taking in the University campus before they make their way into the town centre.
Runners will then travel westwards before heading south to the finishing line via the A33 Relief Road.
A full route map can be found at: www.readinghalfmarathon.com/pages/reading-half-marathon
A series of rolling road closures and diversions will be in place at a variety of times between 7 am and 3 pm. Roads will be re-opened as soon as runners have passed through and it is safe to do so. All roads are expected to be re-opened by 3pm.
Residents and visitors are being asked to plan ahead and allow extra time for any journeys they intend to make on the day.
On race day there will be around 700 people staffing the route who play a vital role in making the race happen.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture and Leisure, said:
“The Reading Half Marathon is a major event in Reading’s calendar, as well as being one of the largest Half Marathons in the country. It is recognised as being one of the key annual events for runners nationally and brings huge numbers of visitors into the town. The race is famous for superb crowd support, a great atmosphere and an unbeatable finish. Why not come out along the route and show your support for the thousands of runners who will be taking part?
“As always, there will be a number of road closures throughout the day. This is necessary to host such a large road race and residents are asked for patience and cooperation during the short time the race will be passing around Reading. I would encourage residents and visitors to check their journey plans ahead of Sunday 2 April. There is a residents’ helpline available on the day on 0118 937 2771.”
For up-to-date information and full details of all affected roads please visit www.readinghalfmarathon.com or call the Residents’ helpline on 0118 937 2771.
Road closures
The following roads can be closed at any point between 7am and 3pm, but as a guideline the closures will go on at the times stated below and will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so. Diversion routes will be in effect and people are encouraged to allow extra time for journeys.
A33 (southbound) 9.45am – 11.30am entire Bennet Rd gyratory system
Bennet Road 9.50am – 3.00pm entire length
Basingstoke Road 9.50am – 11.25am between Imperial Way & Callington Road
Island Road 9.30am – 2.35pm entire length
Hartland Road 9.30am – 11.40am entire length
Whitley Wood Road 9.30am – 12.00pm between Hartland Road & Shinfield Road
Shinfield Road 9.30am – 12.30pm between Whitley Wood Road & Christchurch Road
Pepper Lane 9.30am – 12.30pm entire length
Christchurch Road 9.30am – 12.30pm entire length
Kendrick Road 9.30am – 1.00pm entire length
London Road 9.45am – 12.40pm between Sidmouth Street & Crown Street
London Street 9.00am – 12.40pm entire length
Mill Lane (north & southbound) 7.00am – 12.40pm entire length
Duke Street 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
Thorn Lane 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
Yield Hall Place 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
Minster Street 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
Gun Street 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
King Street 9.30am – 12.40pm entire length
King’s Road 9.30am – 12.40pm between Abbey Street and King Street
Abbey Square 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Abbey Street 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Abbots Walk 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
The Forbury 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Butter Market 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
High Street 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Market Place 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Blagrave Street 9.30am – 12.45pm between Forbury Road and Friar Street
Valpy Street 9.30am – 12.45pm entire length
Friar Street 9.00am – 12.50pm between Blagrave Street and West Street
Station Road 9.30am – 12.50pm entire length
West Street 9.00am – 12.50pm entire length
Oxford Road 9.30am – 1.05pm between West Street and Bedford Road (restricted access from 9am)
Russell Street 9.30am – 1.00pm entire length
Tilehurst Road 9.30am – 1.15pm between Russell Street and Liebenrood Road
Liebenrood Road 9.30am – 2.00pm entire length
Bath Road 9.00am – 1.50pm between Circuit Lane and Coley Avenue
Castle Hill 9.00am – 1.50pm entire length
Coley Avenue 9.30am – 1.40pm between Bath Road and Berkeley Avenue
Berkeley Avenue 9.30am – 1.55pm between Rose Kiln Lane and Shaw Road
Rose Kiln Lane (northbound) 9.30am – 1.55pm between Berkeley Avenue and junction with A33
A33 (northbound) 9.30am – 3.00pm between Bennet Road and IDR
Lindisfarne Way 9.45am – 11.30am westbound – no access to A33
Longwater Avenue 7.00am – 3.00pm entire length
Brook Drive 7.00am – 3.00pm entire length
Northern Way 6.00am – 4.00pm entire length
Hoops Way 7.00am – 4.00pm entire length
Shooters Way 7.00am – 4.00pm entire length
The main arterial routes in the town centre will remain open:
North: A4074 Woodcote Rd to A4155 to IDR and A4155 Henley Rd to IDR. East: J10 – A329 Wokingham Rd – London Rd – Sidmouth St – Queen’s Rd – IDR. West: J12 – Bath Rd – Honey End Lane – Tilehurst Rd – Water Rd & Grovelands Rd – Oxford Rd – Chatham St –IDR.
Access from the south will be restricted as runners get underway. Visitors travelling into Reading on the M4 are advised to use junctions 10 and 12 until 2pm to avoid delays.
Access to hospitals:
Royal Berkshire Hospital: Access from London Road ; Berkshire Independent Hospital : access from Bath Rd/Berkeley Avenue; Dunedin Hospital: access from IDR – Castle Hill – Bath Rd access lane (allow for delay). Circle Hospital: access via Basingstoke Rd and Manor Farm Road.
Car Parks
All town centre car parks will open as normal, apart from Oracle Riverside, which will open at 12.40pm – use Oracle Holy Brook.
Tip
The Smallmead Recycling Centre will open at 3pm.