MUCH of city centre will be closed off on Sunday as runners take to the streets for the Oxford Half Marathon.

Up to 12,000 people are expected to take part in the race which starts at 9.30am.

ROAD CLOSURES

Broad Street between Turl Street and Magdalen Street East will shut at 8am on Saturday morning as organisers Virgin Sport begin setting up.

The rest of the street along with Parks Road, between Holywell Street and South Parks Road, and a small section of Museum Road will close from 6pm.

From 8am on Sunday, further roads will close across the city including St Giles, Banbury Road, Marsh Lane and Marston Ferry Road.

WHEN DOES IT START AND FINISH?

A race village in University Parks will open at 7.30am and the first runners are expected across the finish line at around 10.35am.

The winners will be honoured at a prize giving ceremony at 11.15am before the race officially ends at 1.15pm.

The race village will close at 2pm and roads will gradually reopen from 11am with all roads expected to be open again by 6pm at the latest.

CAN I PARK?

Parking suspensions are in place across many of the roads affected.

Access points for residents of North Oxford and Marston have been organised and drivers are being asked to follow a signposted diversion in the city centre to avoid Parks Road.

Runners and spectators are being recommended to use park-and-ride services with extra buses put on to get people to and from the event.

Special bike stands are being installed outside the race village for cyclists.

WHAT ABOUT BUSES?

Oxford Bus Company will boost its services with extra buses and additional drivers for the Oxford Half Marathon.

On Sunday an extra 22 journeys will operate on the 300 and 400 park-and-ride services throughout the day, to help runners and spectators get to and from the event, which starts in Broad Street at 9.30am, following a warm-up in the University Parks.

The 300 and 400 service will operate every five minutes during peak hours and then every seven to eight minutes.

For more information about extra buses on race day, CLICK HERE