There is one day of the year in Reading which is unique to any other.
The streets are handed over to thousands of runners who come from far and wide to take part in the Green Park Reading Half Marathon.
It is a very special day for those who are participating, their friends and families and for the residents of Reading.
People of all abilities take part in the half marathon which is happening this Sunday (23 March). We have elite competitors, experienced runners, fitness enthusiasts and first timers, as well as those who are dressed in all manner of costumes to raise money for charity.
The half marathon’s headline charity this year is Cancer Research UK and there will be many runners raising thousands of pounds for them and for other very good causes.
The13-mile race is important to all participants and there will have been months of preparation for this one day.
There is a real buzz on the day which starts at Green Park in the morning and then spreads around the town as residents line the streets to cheer on the runners.
The starting pistol fires at 10.15am and the runners make their way towards Whitley before taking in the beautiful Reading University campus, and then cross the Kennet into the heart of the town centre.
They head west towards Prospect Park before looping back around and down the A33 Relief Road to the Select Car Leading Stadium where thousands of spectators will cheer them on to the finish line.
This big event does of course mean that there will be some disruption with road closures throughout the day.
But just as the participants have been preparing for the run, the event organisers Goldline Events, have been working months in advance with Council teams to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible.
There will be rolling road closures between 6am and 4pm on Sunday but a guide of closure times for each street is available at: https://media.reading.gov.uk/news/on-your-marks-get-ready-for-the-reading-half-marathon.
A map of the route can be found at: https://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/pages/reading-half-marathon.
The Council staffs a residents’ hotline throughout the day on 0118 937 2771 to deal with any enquiries.
As well as the main event, there is also The Green Park Challenge which is a 3K fun run for all the family, which gets under way at 8.30am. It is open to serious athletes who want a shorter run and complete beginners and young people who want to have fun, get fit and raise money for charity.
To all those running on Sunday, I wish you the very best and hope you have an amazing day.
Meanwhile, I’ll be joining the crowds who line the route to cheer on the runners and experience the wonderful, friendly atmosphere of this unique day in Reading’s calendar.