Johannesburg, South Africa - People living in the vicinity of the Wanderers in Illovo can expect some disruption on Sunday, when thousands of women take to the streets for the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run.
The organisers have stressed that the closures are for the safety of the 12 000 runners, and they have tried to cause as little disruption as possible.
A number of roads will be closed for the duration of the two races, but residents will have access, except when the race is actually in progress. The road closures have been approved by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
Corlett Drive will be closed from Rudd Road to Irene Road and Irene Road from Corlett Drive and Kernick Avenue will be closed from 5am to 10am. From 7am, Corlett Drive, between Oxford Road and Rudd Road will also be closed.
There will be traffic detours from 7am to 10m on Oxford Road, between Bristol Road and Riviera Road, from 4th Avenue to Killarney Avenue.
In certain areas, road access will be restricted from 5am to 11am, with traffic using only half the road.
There will be no access to vehicles along the east side of Oxford Road, while there will be contra flow traffic on the west side of Oxford Road from Corlett Drive to Bristol Road. All the roads running into Oxford Road from the route side (the east side) will be closed for the duration of the race, but Oxford Road going towards Johannnesburg or Sandton will re-open when it is clear of runners.
There are also parking restrictions from five to 11 on Sunday morning. No parking will be allowed on North Road, between Bute Road and Edgewood Avenue, on Venus Street, from North Street to Melrose Street and on Westwood Avenue, between North Road and Kernick Avenue.
Meanwhile, the race organisers have made the following parking areas close to the Wanderers Sporting Club available to the runners. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the parking areas early.
For R50 per vehicle there will be parking at;
• Wanderers Club Rugby Fields (Corlett Drive)
• Wanderers Golf Club (Rudd Road)
• Fairway Primary School (Fort Street)
Please note that since the above parking areas are on the race route, access will only be allowed from 05h00 – 07h00.
Other suggested parking includes;
• James and Ethel Gray Park (Edgewood Avenue)
• Blue Bird Shopping Centre (Athol Oaklands Road)
• Melrose Arch (Athol Oaklands Road)