Reading Half Marathon

Get ready to cheer on thousands of runners as The Green Park Reading Half Marathon returns on Sunday, 23 March 2025! This iconic event is one of the UK’s most popular races, welcoming elite athletes, seasoned runners, fitness enthusiasts, and first-timers to take on the 13.1 mile course through the heart of Reading.

Image: Facebook, Reading Half Marathon and Green Park Challenge

Race Day Highlights

• Start Time & Location: The race kicks off at 10:15 AM from Green Park.

• Scenic Route: Runners will pass through Whitley, Reading University, the Kennet, and the town centre, before heading west towards Prospect Park and finishing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

• The Green Park Challenge: A fun 3km family-friendly run at 8:30 AM, perfect for all ages!

Join the Excitement!

Whether you're running, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, this is an event not to be missed! With thousands of spectators, 700 dedicated volunteers, and countless charities benefiting, the Green Park Reading Half Marathon is a true celebration of community spirit and athletic achievement.

📅 Save the date – 23 March 2025! Come and be part of the action!

Image: Facebook, Reading Half Marathon and Green Park Challenge

Plan Ahead – Road Closures & Travel Advice

To ensure a smooth and safe race, rolling road closures will be in place from 6 AM to 4 PM. While diversions will be set up and roads will reopen as soon as possible, we advise residents and visitors to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

The following roads can be closed at any point between 6am and 4pm, but as a guideline the closures will go on at the times stated below and will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so. Diversion routes will be in effect, but please allow extra time for your journey.

ROAD	TIMINGS OF CLOSURE	SECTION OF ROAD
A33 (southbound)	9.45am – 11.30am	entire Bennet Rd gyratory system
Bennet Road	9.50am – 3.00pm	entire length
Basingstoke Road	9.50am – 11.25am	between Imperial Way & Callington Road
Island Road	9.30am – 2.35pm	entire length
Hartland Road	9.30am – 11.40am	entire length
Whitley Wood Road	9.30am – 12.00pm	between Hartland Road & Shinfield Road
Shinfield Road	9.30am – 12.30pm	between Whitley Wood Road & Christchurch Road
Pepper Lane	9.30am – 12.30pm	entire length
Christchurch Road	9.30am – 12.30pm	entire length
Kendrick Road	8.00am – 1.00pm	entire length
London Road	9.45am – 12.40pm	between Sidmouth Street & Crown Street
London Street	9.00am – 12.40pm	entire length
Mill Lane (north & southbound)	7.00am – 12.40pm	entire length
Duke Street	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
Thorn Lane	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
Yield Hall Place	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
Minster Street	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
Gun Street	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
King Street	9.30am – 12.40pm	entire length
King’s Road	9.30am – 12.40pm	between Abbey Street and King Street
High Street	9.30am – 12.40pm	open for exit onto Kings Road
Abbey Square	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Abbey Street	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Abbots Walk	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
The Forbury	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Butter Market	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Market Place	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Valpy Street	9.30am – 12.45pm	entire length
Blagrave Street	9.30am – 12.45pm	between Valpy Street and Friar Street
Friar Street	9.00am – 12.50pm	between Blagrave Street and West Street
Station Road	9.30am – 12.50pm	entire length
West Street	9.00am – 12.50pm	entire length
Oxford Road	9.30am – 1.05pm	between West Street and Bedford Road (restricted access from 9am)
Russell Street	9.30am – 1.00pm	entire length
Tilehurst Road	9.30am – 1.15pm	between Russell Street and Liebenrood Road
Liebenrood Road	9.30am – 2.00pm	entire length
Bath Road	9.00am – 1.50pm	between Circuit Lane and Coley Avenue
Castle Hill	9.00am – 1.50pm	entire length
Coley Avenue	9.00am – 1.40pm	between Bath Road and Berkeley Avenue
Traffic lights all stop	when lead is approaching Coley Avenue	for elite wheelchair
Berkeley Avenue	9.30am – 1.55pm	between Elgar Road and Shaw Road
Rose Kiln Lane (northbound)	9.30am – 1.55pm	between Berkeley Avenue and junction with A33
A33 (northbound)	9.30am – 3.00pm	between Bennet Road and IDR
Lindisfarne Way	9.45am – 11.30am	westbound – no access to A33
Longwater Avenue	6.00am – 3.00pm	entire length
Brook Drive	6.00am – 3.00pm	entire length
Northern Way	6.00am – 4.00pm	entire length
Hoops Way	6.00am – 4.00pm	entire length
Shooters Way	6.00am – 4.00pm	entire length

Main arterial routes in the town centre will remain open:

 North: A4074 Woodcote Rd to A4155 to IDR and A4155 Henley Rd to IDR. East: J10 – A329 Wokingham Rd – London Rd – Sidmouth St – Queen’s Rd – IDR. West: J12 – Bath Rd – Honey End Lane – Tilehurst Rd – Water Rd & Grovelands Rd – Oxford Rd – Chatham St –IDR.

Access from the South will be restricted as runners get underway. Visitors travelling into Reading on the M4 are advised to use junctions 10 and 12 until 3pm to avoid delays.

Access to Hospitals: Royal Berkshire Hospital: Access from London Road; Berkshire Independent Hospital: access from Bath Rd/Berkeley Avenue; Dunedin Hospital: access from IDR – Castle Hill – Bath Rd access lane (allow for delay). Circle Hospital: access via Basingstoke Rd and Manor Farm Road.

All Town Centre car parks will open as normal, apart from Oracle Riverside, which will open at 12.40pm – use Oracle Holy Brook. The Household Waste Recycling Centre and access to Link Retail Park will open around 3pm.