The launch of the Waterside Half-Marathon
Arrive early! That’s the advice to competitors and spectators intending going along to this Sunday’s Waterside Half Marathon.
With 2,000 participants and the event’s largest ever viewing audience – thrilled by this year’s Walled City Marathon – expected to turn up, Derry City Council has announced details of traffic restrictions in the area and along the route.
In an effort to minimise disruption and to avoid delays, members of the public are asked to follow the signed diversions and to co-operate fully with the police and race marshals.
The race will take runners along a new course route, which extends out and back between the Gransha Grounds and the Old Clooney Road, the turning point being just beyond Kee Road.
Sections of the A2 country bound carriageway (Clooney Road) and the Maydown Roundabout will have lane closures to create runners’ lanes and a temporary speed restriction will be in force.
A key feature of the traffic management system will be the introduction of a one-way traffic system on Donnybrewer Road, between Campsie Roundabout and Station Road. Anyone from the city planning to visit the White Horse Hotel during the event should follow the diversion signs.
Race organisers, Derry City Council, have appealed to members of the public to avoid travelling along the route during the event.
As spokesperson said: “if at all possible we urge those who must travel to drive carefully and remain vigilant, as they may encounter people running on the road.”
Residents living along the route are also being asked to park their vehicles off the road, to keep the route clear for the race to pass safely.
Derry Mayor Martin Reilly appealed for everyone attending the event to remember Gransha was a “working hospital” and to respect staff, residents and visitors.
He added: “In particular, I would ask people to drive with due care and consideration and not to park where you may be obstructing roads, entrances or emergency access routes.”
A 10 mile challenge walk, setting of at 10.00, will precede the event and particpants and members of the public are advised vehicles are packed on site no later than 9.45am to permit the necessary traffic restrictions to be put in place.”
Race Organiser Jeff Ashe advised motorists travelling in the area to allow an extra 20 minutes for their journey as traffic is “likely to be very heavy.”
Appealing to everyone to co-operate fully with the marshals and parking attendants, he said the Waterside Half Marathon was one of the most important sporting events in the city and a “day out for whole family.”
He added: “We want everyone to have an enjoyable day and everything will be done to ensure disruptions to normal traffic will only be for the minimum time necessary.”
Full details of the route and traffic restrictions are available on available on the websitewww.derrycity.gov.uk/
The official charity of this year’s event is Macmillan Cancer Support.
For full information on the road restrictions visit the our Sports Section.
The Half Marathon welcomes on board its official charity for 2013, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Traffic restrictions for the 2013 Waterside Half Marathon
(Note times given are approximate and may be subject to change)
The A2 Clooney Road Dual Carriageway (country bound) between Gransha and the Campsie Roundabout.
- The inside lane of this stretch of the dual carriageway will be closed to traffic between 9.00am – 1.30pm approximately.
- During these times, the carriageway crossing points will also be closed, so it will not be possible for traffic to cross between the city bound and country bound carriageways. However, access to Marshalls Shop will be facilitated.
- Access to homes along the Clooney Road will also be facilitated.
- Access to the Invista Site / DuPont Club will be via the Maydown Road and Electra Roads
Maydown Road
- The inside lanes of the Maydown Road between Maydown Industrial Estate and the Maydown Roundabout will be closed, in both directions, to create runners’ lanes between 10.00am and 1.15pm approximately.
- Access to and from Henderson Park will be maintained throughout.
Speed restrictions
A 40mph speed restriction will be in force on the A2 Dual Carriageway (country bound) between Gransha and the Campsie Roundabout and between Maydown Industrial Estate and the Maydown Roundabout, for the duration of the lane closures.
Gransha Park / Gransha Road
- Gransha Park and Gransha Road will be in use from approximately 8.00am – 2.00pm. Various traffic restrictions for non essential traffic will be in place at different stages. Marshals will be available to provide advice and assistance. Drivers are reminded to be vigilant and to exercise extra care and consideration for pedestrians, runners and other road users.
Donnybrewer Road
- A one way traffic system will be in operation on the Donnybrewer Road, between the Campsie Roundabout and Station Road
- Vehicles travelling towards the White Horse Hotel from the city will be diverted via the Campsie Roundabout.
- Residents living along the Donnybrewer Road, between the Campsie Roundabout and Station Road, are requested to travel in the direction of Station Road – because, on their return leg, runners will run up Kee Road and along the Donnybrewer Road towards the White Horse Hotel.
Campsie Industrial Estate
- Access to Campsie Industrial Estate will be via Broadbridge Roundabout. The slip road off the A2 at Campsie Industrial Estate (W) will be closed until approximately 1.00pm.
Thank you for your co-operation!
Please note, as the event takes place on a Sunday morning, it may be advisable to allow a little extra time in order to reach Church Services on time.
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