Larne Half Marathon traffic arrangements

Police say that traffic is likely to be particularly heavy from 9.30 am at Circular Road, Curran Road, Tower Road, Leisure Centre and Redlands.

It is therefore recommended that anyone intending to travel to these areas allow extra time for their journey.

The main race (including the team relay event) will start at 11.00 am, from Larne Leisure Centre, with the walk starting an hour earlier at 10.00 am. Police will assist with traffic flow and ensure the safety of everyone taking part.

“We would ask all motorists to follow the direction of officers on the ground,” a spokesman said.

Larne Athletic Club said: “The club are extremely grateful for the ongoing support that all the local residents give to the event, and how they help to create a great atmosphere along the route.

The route:

Following the 11am start, runners will make their way down Bay Road onto Curran Road and then towards Larne Main Street from around 11.05am – 11.25am. The PSNI will be assisting with traffic control during these periods and club officials would appeal for patience and consideration towards runners as the race procession makes its way through along Main Street and back on to Victoria Road before heading towards Coast Road. From 11.20am the Coast Road will see the majority of the action for the remainder of the half marathon as runners make their way towards Ballygally completing a rural loop towards Cairncastle via Weyburn Road and heading back for Larne Leisure Centre along the Coast Road.

Traffic diversions:

Coastal traffic will be encouraged to use alternative traffic diversions from the Victoria Road/Glenarm Road Junction in place from 11.20am to approximately 12.45pm. Coastal traffic are asked to use alternative routes along the Old Glenarm Road, and officials would ask that drivers requiring access to the Coast Road would try and enter on to the Coast Road at a convenient place (Drains Bay, Ballygally, Drumnagreagh). With so many runners due to be on the route, drivers are also asked to allow extra time for coastal journeys (residents, Cairndhu Golf Club, Carnfunnock traffic) and exercise extreme caution for runners when travelling on the route.

Ballygally residents will also be impacted from around 11.30 am to 12.50 pm and residents are asked once again to allow extra time for planned journeys within this time. Marshals in Ballygally will help to manage traffic flow and runners, and the slightly changed route at Grace Avenue North is aimed to ease congestion at the Coast Road/Cairncastle Road junction.

A large team of volunteer marshals will be positioned throughout the route to ensure that any questions from the public are answered, and that both runners and traffic are considered safely. They will be assisted by St John Ambulance, who will provide medical cover for the event. Members of the public are asked to work along with the marshals in order to create an atmosphere that everyone can safely enjoy.

Organisers have arranged entertainment at several points along the route and any spectators are encouraged to get to their positions early, and avoid parking at junctions along the Coast Road.

Larne Athletic Club would like to thank the Larne community for its ongoing support.