The NSW Police Force is warning motorists and residents of major road closures in Sydney's CBD and Pyrmont ahead of the 28th annual Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon.
The event starts at 6.15am tomorrow (Sunday 19 May 2019), on College Street adjacent to St Marys Cathedral with the elite wheelchair race of 2.5km. The main race will commence at 6.45am and take runners through many of Sydney's major landmarks.
The course covers 21.1km and runs via Macquarie Street, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Millers Point and the Western Distributor to Pyrmont, then returns via Sussex Street and Hickson Road, the Cahill Expressway Overpass, Macquarie Street and Royal Botanic Gardens, finishing at Hyde Park North.
A high-visibility police operation will be in place for the event to ensure the safety of participants and spectators, with a focus on minimising the impact of the event on the wider community.
Operation SMH Half Marathon 2019 Commander, Superintendent Michael Rochester, said police have been working closely with event organisers and other key stakeholders to ensure the event is safe, secure and family-friendly.
"Police will be out patrolling the half marathon route in the lead up and during the event to ensure the safety of all participants, spectators and volunteers," Supt Rochester said.
"We strongly encourage those involved in the event to use public transport to and from the city, as major road closures will be in place for the duration of the event.
"The Cahill Expressway Overpass, sections of the Western Distributor, and roads in the vicinity of the Royal Botanic Gardens will be closed from 4am.
"Roads along the rest of the race route through the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Millers Point and Pyrmont will be closed from 5am.
"Anyone who must drive into the city should allow additional travel time and follow detour signs, as delays are expected," Supt Rochester said.
All major roads are expected to reopen by 11am, with all closures lifted by 11.30am.
While roads are closed, buses will be diverting and using temporary stops. Service may experience delays so allow extra travel time or consider catching a City Circle train instead.
The closest train stations to the start line are St James, Martin Place and Town Hall. For information on transport to the event and to plan your trip, visit www.transportnsw.info
Special-event clearways will be in place between 3am and 10.30am on roads along and surrounding the race route, so check signs before parking as vehicles parked in these clearways will be towed and fines apply.
For detailed information about road closures and clearways, including maps and detour routes, visit www.livetraffic.com.
For more information the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon, visit https://smhhalfmarathon.com.au/.
