THOUSANDS of runners are due to take to the streets of Warrington this Sunday for a new look English Half Marathon.
More than 4,000 runners will take part in the half marathon and 10k which starts and finishes at the Town Hall with the Golden Gates marking the finish line for the first time.
Runners will head out to south Warrington up to Appleton Thorn before returning to the town centre where the route will take in Bridge Foot, the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Bridge Street and The Cultural Quarter before the Winmarleigh Street approach to the Golden Gates.
Rob Griffiths, race director, said: "It's been an ambition of mine for a few years to take this race into the town centre.
"With so many runners from outside of Warrington involved with the event, I wanted to showcase a different side to the town that many people may have not seen before.
"I would like to thank the leader of the council Terry O'Neill and chief executive Stephen Broomhead in buying into this ambition and making it happen with me."
Runners will be welcomed back to the Town Hall after the event where they can enjoy live music, food and a beer garden as part of Warrington Festival
The LiveWire Mile then takes place at 12.30pm from the Town Hall lawn.
RACE director Rob Griffiths shares his top five 'ones to watch' ahead of the race.
1. Daniel Cliffe - this local lad is favourite for the win to take his third EHM title
2. Dejen Gezimu - sensational Ethiopian runner who will give Cliffe a good run. Winner of the Wirral 10k at the weekend but will need to prove his stamina over the longer distance
3. Warrington Running Club - only founded two years ago with now 250 runners and 150 of them taking part at EHM. This club epitomises all that is good about race events worldwide - turn up in numbers, loud and there for fast and good times
4. Dean Smith- the man who has delivered my Golden Gates dream. New member of our team - experienced in delivering top class events around the world - the right man to ensure that everything goes well on the day!
5. Sub-65 or bust - I'm confident that this new route will be faster than ever before. And with a quality field, I expect a sub 65 minute winner - if not, I'll donate £500 to charity.
RUNNERS can be inspired by British long-distance track and road running athlete Mara Yamauchi before the big event on Sunday.
The runner has competed at the Commonwealths, the World Championships and the Olympics and holds the second fastest time by a British woman over the marathon.
The English Half Marathon and Spectrum Strider's Running Club will be hosting an event on Saturday 6pm at the LiveWire Jubilee Hub where Mara will be talking about her personal experiences, what it takes to be an elite athlete, training tips and a question and answer session.
Further details at run-ehm.com.
THE EHM in numbers
- 2015 is the seventh English Half Marathon
- 5,000 entrants will be taking part in the half marathon, 10k and one mile runs
- 1.05.08 is the EHM record set by Kenyan athlete Julius Kimeu in 2009
- There will be a new female winner this year as three time winner Kelly Crickmore is not returning to defend her title
- 61 per cent of EHM10k runners are female
- 18 per cent of runners are from outside of England
- Nine nationalities will be represented
- 70 per cent of runners are from outside Warrington
Road closures
ORGANISERS have maintained access to most town centre retail areas and car parks but motorists do need to be aware of a number of road closures and diversions on Sunday morning.
The half marathon and 10k races start at 9am from the Town Hall with some roads closed from 5am to 2pm.
Motorists are advised to avoid Bridge Foot between 8.55am and 9.20am as runners pass through at the start of the race.
The recommended car park for runners is the Market Car Park on Academy Street.
The LiveWire mile starts at 12.30pm from the Town Hall while the event area on Bank Park, Sankey Street will be open from 9.30am to 2pm.
ROADS AFFECTED EXTENT PROBABLE CLOSURE TIMES
Sankey Street 5am to 2 pm
Winmarleigh Street 5am to 2pm. South from Palmyra Street South will be closed until 10am only
Wilson Patten Street From Winmarleigh Street to Bridgefoot Temporary closure 8.55am to 9.20am
Bridgefoot Temporary closure 8.55am to 9.20am
Various lanes are open after 9.20am ie
1. Mersey Street (A49) to Knutsford Road (A5061) eastbound.
2. Wilderspool Causeway (A49) to Wilson Patten Street
Knutsford Road From Grange Avenue to Bridgefoot. Only the westbound carriageway( to the town centre) is affected from 8am to 1pm.
Wash Lane 8am to 1pm.
Station Road 8am to 12.30pm
Cantilever Bridge 8am to 12.30pm
Cantilever Bridge Southwest Approach 8am to 12.30pm
Ackers Road 8am to 12.30pm
Chester Road (A56) From Ackers Road to Lumb Brook Road 8am to 12.30pm
Lumb Brook Road 8am to 12.30pm
Stockton Lane 8am to 10.15am
Broad Lane 8am to 11am
Cartridge Lane 8am to 11am
Grappenhall Lane (B5356) 8am to 11am
Witherwin Avenue Between the Lumb Brook Road junctions 8am to 11am
Loushers Lane Eastbound lane only. Westbound is always open 8am to10.30am.
Bridge Street 8am to 12.30pm
Academy Way Westbound open to market car park 8am to 1pm
Academy Street 8 am to 1pm
Scotland Road 8am to 1pm
Winwick Street 8am to 1pm
Rylands Street 8am to 2pm
Suez Street 8am to 2pm
Palmyra Square South 8am to 2pm
For further details on road closures, click here.
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