Residents get free pass to run in new town race

People living along the route of the new Kettering half marathon are being offered free entry to the event.

The race, which is being held during the morning on Sunday 9 March, will see local road closures to ensure the runners have space to run safely.

This means that access for some residents will be affected during the race, which is expected to see 2,500 runners take part.

The event is being organised by Run Through with Kettering Town Council, and the places are being offered to anyone directly affected – properties which are on the route itself, or enclosed within it such as Ise Lodge, Hanwood Park, Warkton.

Rob Sullivan, Head of Operations at Run Through, said: "We are happy to offer all residents living on the race route a free entry to the race as a token of our appreciation of your understanding of the slight disruptions caused by this event. If you are interested in claiming your free entry, please email info@runthrough.co.uk."

The race starts at 9am and an expected finish time of 12:30pm, starting and ending at Wicksteed Park, going through the town centre, out to Boughton House and back through the countryside.

Cllr Craig Skinner, Mayor of Kettering, said: "The road closures have been designed to offer minimal disruption and will be managed by a traffic management company who will reopen roads as soon as possible and provide appropriate diversions during disrupted times.

"We hope people will come out and support the runners along the route. I will be running it myself and would certainly appreciate a cheer as I go along. It's great to see so many people expected for this first big race in Kettering and so many people coming to enjoy running through our fantastic town."

The race has been designed as a single lap course, so roads can be reopened as the last runners pass by. If any residents along the route will be expecting home carers to visit their household on the morning of Sunday 9 March then they can get in contact with Run Through by emailing info@runthrough.co.uk so they are able to create access contingency plans.

08:30 - Road closures in place

09:00 - Half Marathon Race Start

09:20 - 5k Race Start

09:45 - Eskdaill Street, Newland Street, Silver Street, Dalkeith Place, Horsemarket, Queen Street, Victoria Street reopen

10:00 - London Road, Bowling Green Road reopen

10:15 - Stamford Road reopens

11:30 - Grafton Road reopens

12:00 - Cranford Road reopens

12:15 - Barton Road reopens 12:30 - End of race