Residents warned ahead of Reading Half-Marathon
The event will see rolling road closures on Sunday 23 March
Last updated 11th Mar 2025
Thousands of runners will be taking to the streets to take part in The Green Park Reading Half Marathon 2025 on Sunday 23 March.
Elite competitors, experienced runners, fitness enthusiasts and first timers will be tackling the 13-mile route through the heart of Reading.
The council is warning residents of the rolling road closures which will take place throughout the day and advised to plan ahead if they intend to travel. Full details of the route and roads affected can be found at: https://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/.
Roads along the route can be closed at any point between 6am and 4pm but a guideline of closure times for each street is available below. Diversions will be in place and closures will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so. Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Half marathon runners will set off from Green Park at 10.15am on 23 March, heading to Whitley before taking in the Reading University campus, crossing the Kennet and making their way into the heart of the town centre. From there, they will travel west towards Prospect Park before looping back around and down the A33 Relief Road to the Select Car Leasing Stadium, the home of Reading FC, for the big finish in front of thousands of spectators.
A full route map can be found at: [https://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/pages/reading-half-marathon ](https://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/pages/reading-half-marathon |newtab)
The popular 3km Green Park Challenge, which is open to all the family, is also taking place at 8.30am the same day but is contained within Green Park.
The Green Park Reading Half Marathon has become one of the most popular annual events for runners in the UK and raises thousands of pounds for charities every year. Around 700 volunteers provide support around the course on the day and spectators line the route to cheer on the runners.
Big day
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Councillor for Culture and Leisure, said:
“It is always a thrill to see so many people coming out onto the streets of Reading to be part of the half-marathon.
“It is not just a big day for the runners but for their friends and family, and residents who cheer them on along the route and enjoy the amazing, friendly atmosphere.
“The organisers work closely with the Council to keep disturbance to a minimum but there will inevitably be some disruption. I would strongly advise anyone planning to travel in Reading on half-marathon day to check for road closures, plan their journey in advance and allow extra time.
“I wish everyone taking part in the half marathon all the very best and hope that many thousands of pounds are raised for very worthy causes.”
Road closures
The following roads can be closed at any point between 6am and 4pm, 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, but please allow extra time for your journey.
TIMINGS OF CLOSURE
SECTION OF ROAD
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
8.00am – 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
High Street
9.30am – 12.40pm
open for exit onto Kings Road
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
Market Place
9.30am – 12.45pm
entire length
Valpy Street
9.30am – 12.45pm
entire length
Blagrave Street
9.30am – 12.45pm
between Valpy Street and Friar Street
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
9.00am – 1.40pm
between Bath Road and Berkeley Avenue
Traffic lights all stop
when lead is approaching Coley Avenue
for elite wheelchair
Berkeley Avenue
9.30am – 1.55pm
between Elgar Road 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
6.00am – 3.00pm
entire length
Brook Drive
6.00am – 3.00pm
entire length
Northern Way
6.00am – 4.00pm
entire length
Hoops Way
6.00am – 4.00pm
entire length
Shooters Way
6.00am – 4.00pm
entire length
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 3pm 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.
All Town Centre car parks will open as normal, apart from Oracle Riverside, which will open at 12.40pm – use Oracle Holy Brook. The Household Waste Recycling Centre and access to Link Retail Park will open around 3pm.