All you need to know about Run Norwich

A junior event will also be held as part of Sunday's race

A road race that has tripled its number of runners over the last 10 years is to take place this weekend.

Run Norwich will be held on Sunday over a 10km (6.2-mile) course through the city centre.

Entrant numbers have grown from about 3,000 in 2015 to 9,000 for the 10th anniversary race, with tickets selling out in less than two hours after they went on sale in March.

The event, started by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation to benefit local charities, has now raised £800,000.

Where and when does it all begin?

Thousands of runners took part in the 2024 race

The starting pistol will fire at 09:40 BST on Theatre Street, with runners pacing a route taking in Norwich Castle and Norwich City's stadium, before crossing the finish line outside The Forum.

The runners' pens will open an hour beforehand on Bethel Street and St Peter's Street, with each pen organised by the colour of participants' bibs, which have been based on estimated finish times.

The junior race, a 1.5km (0.9-mile) looped fun run, is open to youngsters aged between seven and 15, who will set off and finish at Theatre Street.

It is the second year the junior event has been held and it will start at 09:15, while the pen will open at 08:30.

Organisers have advised that running numbers should be attached to bibs - with the safety pins supplied in race packs - before the day of the event, as they can be tricky to fix.

Medal presentations will be held at 11:10 in the race village in Chapelfield Park, which will also host the baggage drops (except for those in the black pen who need to drop their bags at Chantry Car Park in Theatre Street), first aid facilities, toilets, a physiotherapy pop-up, as well as food and drink stalls.

The race village will open at 08:00.

A list of rules for runners on the day is available here, while the organisers have also prepped a virtual run-through of the route.

Run Norwich was switched from its peak summer slot last year after being postponed in 2022 due to the heat.

How will traffic be affected?

Streets including Carrow Road will be closed while the race takes place

A number of city centre roads will be closed until 13:00 on the day.

The earliest closures will start at 07:00, but different roads will be shut at varying times along the route.

But Bethel Street, St Giles Street and Theatre Street will be among those shut to traffic for the entire morning.

Bishopgate, Carrow Road, Chapelfield Road, King Street, Magdalen Street, Rose Lane, Riverside Road and Wherry Road are also some of the key locations across the city that will be shut at various times. More details are available here.

Runners have been urged to allow plenty of time to get to the city either by foot, cycle or bus.

However, several car parks will open earlier than usual for motorists, but access to Castle Quarter, Chantry Place, Rose Lane and St Giles' car parks will either be unavailable or restricted at certain times on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, The Forum car park will be shut to the public as it will be reserved for volunteers.

Parking restrictions will also be in force around the city centre from Saturday night.

Bus services will be disrupted on Sunday morning by temporary stop closures and road diversions, Run Norwich said.

Park and Ride buses between the airport and the city centre will stop at Duke Street instead of the bus station until after 10:15, and will not run on to Thickthorn.

Additionally, Thickthorn Park and Ride will run along the A47 to the bus station and will not stop at the train station until the race is over.

The taxi rank in Tombland will also be closed between 08:00 and 12:00.

Run Norwich said all up-to-date transport information on the day would be available at Travel Norfolk.

Who are the runners to watch?

Holly Archer, from Bury St Edmunds, set a new course record last year

Organisers said a total of 9,013 runners - aged between seven and 86 - had signed up for this year's race, with runners from both ends of the scale in terms of experience.

While 20% of entrants have never run a 10k (6.2-mile) race before, 294 people have taken part in every Run Norwich.

Competitors from 67 nations have their eyes set on the finish line and 122 running clubs will be represented.

At 2015's inaugural event, Nick Earl, from City of Norwich Athletics Club, was the fastest man with a 31:28 time, while Tracy Barlow, of Thames Valley Harriers, topped the women's scoreboard with 35:46.

However, in 2024 two new course records were set by Cambridge and Coleridge club runners.

Jonathan Escalante-Phillips finished the race in 30:41 - nine seconds faster than the previous men's record.

Holly Archer, 30, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, shaved five seconds off the previous women's record by finishing in 34:38.

Archer (bib no 1) has been on impressive form this year and has twice broken her Norwich 10k time, so she could easily step up to the podium top spot again.

Event regulars Ellie Grubb (no 6) and Mabel Beckett (no 3) are expected to be close on her heels.

The men's race could also be faster.

While Escalante-Phillips will not be competing this year, Oluwatosin Adedej (no 50), for Newham and Essex Beagles, has already gained a 30:14 time this year and Marshall Smith (no 56), of Ashford Athletics Club, has run a 30:24 race.