Everything you need to know as runners get ready for Wolves 10k - including road closures
It's one of the highlights of the running calendar in Wolverhampton, as well as being a vital fundraiser for a city palliative care charity.
Now in its fifth year, the event will see thousands of runners of all abilities take to the streets of Wolverhampton, starting and finishing at Molineux Stadium, on Sunday, March 29.
The event takes in a sizeable loop around the outskirts of the city, with supporters encouraged to cheer on the runners along the route.
It is also a chance to raise vital funds for Compton Care, which has once again been named the charity partner for the event.
The palliative care charity is also offering a limited number of free places for the popular event, with runners who secure a charity place asked to raise a minimum of £175 in sponsorship.
We've taken a look at everything you need to know about the event, from what the route is to which roads are closed on the route and much more.
What time does the event start at?
The race has a start time of 9am and an expected race finish time of 11am and organisers are expecting there to be around 1,500 runners participating in the event this year.
How do people get to the start line?
Molineux is located in the centre of Wolverhampton, a short 15 minute train from central Birmingham and Birmingham International Airport and the stadium is easily accessible from all regions of the UK.
By car, people could set their satellite navigation to Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR
Public Transport is the best way to get to and from Molineux, with Wolverhampton station being the nearest train station and a seven minute walk from Molineux Stadium
Wolverhampton bus station is located in the city centre next to the train station. There is also a bus stop right outside Molineux and the National Express West Midlands service numbers 3, 4 and 5 stop here
Wolverhampton St George’s in the nearest metro stop and is a 10 minute walk from Molineux Stadium. Trams arrive from Birmingham every eight minutes on Saturdays and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays.
What is the route of the race?
The route is a gently undulating one on closed roads in Wolverhampton city centre, starting and finishing at Molineux Stadium. The first 3km is mostly downhill, before the route levels out towards the middle of the race, before some very gentle inclines back to the stadium to finish.
The race starts inside Molineux Stadium and takes runners out of the stadium and up Waterloo Road onto the A449 Stafford Road and follow the northbound carriageway up to Oxley Moor Road.
The route then follows Oxley Moor Road through to Aldersley Stadium and down Aldersley Road, turning left onto Hordern Road in Whitmore Reans.
At the end of Hordern Road, runners will turn right, then left onto Newhampton Road East, before a right turn onto Devon Road and a loop around West Park, before exiting back onto Newhampton Road East on Lansdowne Road.
The last stage of the run will take runners up Newhampton Road East, then onto Waterloo Road, before turning back into Molineux Stadium for the finish.
What road closures will be in place?
The course & timings are as follows:
8.45am – Road Closures begin to be enforced
9am – Race begins
9.02am – First runners approach Stafford Road northbound
9.10am – First runners approach Oxley Moor Road
9.15am – First runners approach Aldersley Road
9.18am – First runners approach Hordern Road
9.22am – First runners approach New Hampton Road
9.24am – First runners approach Park Road
9.30am – First runners finish the race
9.45am – Final runners approach Oxley Moor Road. Stafford Road northbound can reopen
10am – Final runners approach Aldersley Road. Oxley Moor Road can reopen
10.10am – Final runners approach Hordern Road. Aldersley Road can reopen
10.25am – Final runners approach New Hampton Road. Hordern Road can reopen
10.50am – Final runners approach Waterloo Road. New Hampton Road and Park Road can reopen
11am – End of race. All roads reopened
Residents on affected roads are advised to park outside of the route in advance of the event if possible, if vehicle access is required during the event.
For example, residents of Park Road could park on Albert Road, which is not affected by the event.
What do runners get for finishing the race?
Runners completing the course will get a unique themed medal chip, timed results, post-race goodies and a free official race photo.
