Take your marks for the Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon 2022

THE STREETS of Reading will once again be taken over by thousands of runners when the Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon returns on Sunday 3 April.

Participants taking on the 13-mile course range from elite athletes to enthusiastic amateur runners. Approximately 12,000 people are expected to take part in the half-marathon which starts and finished inside the Select Car Leasing stadium. A further 3,000 will be taking part in the shorter Green Park Challenge.

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: https://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 4 pm. Roads will be re-opened as soon as runners have passed through and it is safe to do so.

Residents and visitors are being asked to plan ahead and allow extra time for any journeys they intend to make on the day.

Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said:

“The Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon is a landmark event for Reading, 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.

“However, it is also very popular among enthusiastic amateurs locally who help raise thousands of pounds for good causes as they pound the streets of Reading. There is always a great atmosphere helped by the crowds of people who line the route to cheer on the participants.

“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 3 April. There is a residents’ helpline available on the day on 0118 937 2771.” 

On race day there will be around 700 people manning the route who play a vital role in making the race happen.

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.

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 and12 until 2 pm 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 delays). 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. Smallmead Household Waste Recycling Centre and access to Link Retail Park will open around 3pm.

ENDS