NUMEROUS roads are set to be closed on Sunday for the annual Worcester City Run – with over 3,500 competitors expected to take part.

The event includes a half marathon and a 10k race, and the organisers have worked closely with the city council to approve a road closure programme to ensure the safety of competitors.

The race begins at 9am on Croft Road – which is set to be shut from 5am until 3pm, alongside Grand Stand Road.

Twenty-six roads will be shut across the course of the day around the city centre, Worcester Bridge, west of the river and Diglis, with the majority closing from 8am until no later than noon.

However, the riverside paths east and west, between Worcester Bridge and the new footbridge will be in use for the event but remain open, with pedestrians advised to use them with caution.

The half marathon will take runners a few hundred metres past the viaduct on Croft Road before turning left onto Deansway and then taking another left onto All Saints Road heading towards The Butts.

Competitors will then head towards the city centre up Foregate Street to the pedestrian area.

The course then loops towards the river before passing the Museum of Royal Worcester and heading towards the cathedral.

The riverside path is then approached via Quay Street and the Severn is a constant companion for the next mile.

The new developments around Diglis Dock guide the route towards the new footbridge as the path crosses the river once more.

Runners will then head up the riverside path, flanked by the Severn and Chapter Meadows, before reaching the Worcestershire County Cricket ground.

The route then turns right to circle around Cripplegate Park and runners will then make their way up Hylton Road towards the university’s St John’s campus.

Runners will see the route change to the countryside, as they pass along Oldbury Road before Upper Broadheath, the birth place of Edward Elgar, is reached.

There is a gentle decline into Lower Broadheath before runners go right along Martley Road and then make their way back towards the city centre.

Taking a right down Fern Road, then a left down Himbleton Road, the runners enjoy the final mile along the river Severn before reaching the finishing line on Croft Road.

For the full set of road closures, times and race routes see worcestercityrun.com.