Swindon's Half Marathon: What you need to know

The event will cover a 13.1-mile (21km) course in the town and surrounding countryside

Traffic disruption is expected on Sunday across the Swindon area as the town's half marathon returns for the first time since 2019.

Drivers have been warned there will be "various road closures" on major urban and rural routes in the south and east of the town.

The 13.1-mile (21km) route will begin and finish at Coate Water Country Park, running through the town's eastern suburbs before heading south beyond the M4 motorway via Wanborough, Badbury and Medbourne.

The last half marathon scheduled to take place in 2021 was cancelled 11 days before the event. Announcing its return in November, new organisers RunThrough said the town “provides a perfect backdrop for runners of all abilities."

Where will people be running?

Having left the park, runners will head north, crossing the A4259 Marlborough Road before making their way along the Dorcan Way.

They will then leave the town at Covingham, heading south for a rural uphill section that begins around Wanborough.

Runners will then cross the M4 near Foxhill, cross it again close to Junction 15 at Medbourne, before then continuing downhill to the finishing line in the park.

Which roads will be shut and when?

RunThrough say that the new route has been chosen to "ensure minimal disruption to residents and businesses."

Swindon Borough Council has issued a Notice of Temporary Traffic Order, which covers the closure of specific roads between 08:00 BST and 12:30 BST on Sunday.

They include the A4259 Marlborough Road at Coate Roundabout, the B4006 Dorcan Way between Coate and Kingfisher Drive Roundabout, The Ridgeway and the B4192 Liddington Hill at Liddington Crossroads.

A full list of closures can be found on the council website.

Why was the race discontinued after 2019?

The race could not go ahead in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The following year, the organisers said they were still feeling the impact, with rising costs forcing that event to be called off too.