Roads to be closed on the day of big race
DRIVERS have been warned to expect road closures ahead of the Rochdale Half Marathon.
The route for this year’s race remains the same as last year taking in some of the region’s best open spaces – including Hollingworth Lake in Littleborough, Broadfield Park, Kingsway Business Park, the Stanney Brook Corridor and Rochdale Canal.
On Sunday, October 7, between 10am and 2pm, sections of St Alban’s Street, Mere Street, Tweedale Street, Miall Street, Durham Street and Milkstone Road will be closed.
Between 10am and 11am, a section of Oldham Road will be closed and 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 noon.
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. Runners then return down Hollingworth Road and back on to the canal.
They will then go through Broadfield 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.
Coun Janet Emsley, Rochdale council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, called on the community to come out onto the streets to support the runners.
She said: “Some residents will be affected and where possible we have notified them as the road closures are 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.
“Hundreds of our runners will be taking part to raise money for charity and this event has raised thousands for good causes over the last three years so I hope residents will come out, line the routes and show them their support.”