Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run returns on Sunday 8 October and residents are being warned about road closures along the routes between 10am and 2pm.
For the event’s third year, race routes have been re-designed so that they minimise disruption to the road network and take in some of the borough’s – and the region’s - best open spaces, including Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough, Broadfield Park, Kingsway Business Park, the Stanney Brook Corridor and Rochdale Canal.
The half marathon leaves the town hall along The Esplanade and runs the edge of Broadfield Park, before heading through to the Rochdale Canal at Oldham Road Basin. The route then heads past Kingsway Business Park and Smithy Bridge along the canal. Close to the Waterside Restaurant in Littleborough the route leaves the tow path and heads up Hollingworth Road towards Hollingworth Lake, making a clockwise loop of the lake.
Runners then return down Hollingworth Road and back on to the canal. The race retraces its outward route from the town hall until it reaches Broadfield Park, where runners will go through the park before re-joining The Esplanade for the final sprint to the finish line.
The 10K follows the same route as the half marathon on to the canal, but leaves the canal at the swing bridge at Kingsway Business Park, making a loop of scenic cycleways, before returning to the canal and the same finishing route as the half marathon.
Between 10am and 2pm sections of St Alban’s Street, Mere Street, Tweedale Street, Miall Street, Durham Street, Milkstone Road and Oldham Road will be closed. The Esplanade by Rochdale Town Hall will be closed from 6am to 2pm.
Canal Street, Hollingworth Road and Lake Bank in Littleborough will be closed from 10am to 12 noon.
Motorists are advised to make alternative arrangements in advance if they need to exit any of the closed areas by car on the day. Plans will be put in place for access by the emergency services.
The fun run takes place in Broadfield Park so won’t require any road closures.
Councillor Janet Emsley cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Residents affected have been informed that the event will cause some disruption to the highway network as there will be road closures in place to ensure the safety of the runners, although we will re-open the roads as soon as it is safe to do so. Many of our runners will be taking part to raise money for charity and this event has raised thousands for good causes over the last two years so I hope residents will come out, line the routes and show them their support.”
Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run is organised by Middleton Harriers, Rochdale Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club supported by Rochdale Borough Council.
To view the full routes in detail, including maps, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/run
To keep up-to-date with the latest information about the event follow @RochdaleHalf on Twitter and like ‘Rochdale Half Marathon’ on Facebook.
Springhill Hospice is the official charity for the races.
15 Sep 2017