Road closures warning in York as Yorkshire Marathon returns

Organisers said the anniversary year would be one of Yorkshire's biggest, brightest and most exciting running events

People in York have been warned of widespread road closures on Sunday when the Yorkshire Marathon returns.

More than 10,000 runners are expected to take part in the event.

The race starts and finishes at the University of York's Heslington campus, before heading into the city centre and out to the surrounding countryside.

Organisers have apologised for the disruption caused by the race and said road closures would be lifted as soon as possible.

The event now in its 10th year also features the Yorkshire 10 Mile and Yorkshire Marathon Relay.

The marathon course passes local sights such as York Minster and the ancient city walls

Organisers at Jane Tomlinson's Run For All said a number of road closures and restrictions would be in place to ensure the safety of all those taking part.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Jane Tomlinson's Run For All said: "Unfortunately, with an event of this size, a certain amount of disruption is unavoidable and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

"We will work extremely hard to ensure that the road closures are lifted as soon as possible."

Officials said many city centre roads and bus stops would be closed during the event, with bus services using diversions and likely to face delays.

The marathon follows a route which takes runners through the city centre, past York Minster and the ancient city walls, and north eastwards out of the city.

It passes through the villages of Stockton on the Forest, Upper Helmsley, Stamford Bridge, Gate Helmsley, Murton and Osbaldwick, before returning to Heslington.

Officials said on Sunday road closures would be in place from 06:00 BST on the A166, Church Balk, Church Street, Eastfield Lane, Stockhill Close, Green Dykes Lane, Heslington Lane and Main Street in Heslington.

City centre roads affected by the closures would include Hull Road, Lawrence Street, Walmgate, Hope Street, Piccadilly, Parliament Street, Blake Street, Goodramgate and Monkgate, they added.