OXFORD’s Half Marathon returns to the streets of the city today, with 10,000 runners planning to pound thirteen miles of pavement.

LIVE BLOG: Follow all the action from the Oxford Half Marathon

The Oxford Half Marathon kicks off at 9.30am, and it is estimated that 10,000 people will take up the 13-mile challenge this year.

What route will the runners follow?

thisisoxfordshire:

A map of the route for the 2019 Oxford Half Marathon.

The route is described by organiser Virgin Sport as a ‘fast and flat 13.1-mile route’ which starts off in Oxford City Centre, and passes by the city’s museums, universities, and parks.

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The race then crosses over the River Cherwell, out into Old Marston village, and back past the University Colleges, before finishing on Parks Road.

What is the weather forecast for the Oxford Half Marathon?

It looks like it’s going to be raining steadily, according to the Met Office.

thisisoxfordshire:

Lat year's men's winner, Ben Cooper. Picture: Richard Cave.

There’s a 80 per cent chance of rain at 9am in the morning on Sunday, October 13.

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The Sunday forecast for the south east is: 'Cloudy with outbreaks of rain through the morning. Becoming drier through the afternoon, with brighter spells as winds ease. Maximum temperature 17C.'

What roads will be closed?

On Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, there will be some changes to usual traffic routes in Oxford.

On Saturday, Broad Street (between Turl St and Magdalen St East) will close at 8am.

At 6pm, the remainder of Broad Street, along with Parks Road (between Holywell St and South Parks Rd) and a small section of Museum Road will close.

These roads will remain closed on Sunday, October 13, and reopen no later than 6pm.

Parking suspensions will be in place throughout this period on Broad Street, Parks Road and Museum Road.

thisisoxfordshire:

A giant chicken running in last year's race. Picture: Richard Cave.

The full list of roads to be closed can be found below, along with their latest reopening times. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times on all roads.

All additional roads listed below close at 8am on Sunday, October 13, with the exception of Holywell Street which closes at 6am.

Roads reopening no later than 11am: Magdalen Street East; St Giles (southbound carriageway)

Reopening no later than noon: Banbury Road (between Marston Ferry Rd and A40/Elsfield Way)

Reopening no later than 1pm: A40 westbound off-slip (Marston Junction); Cherwell Drive; Elms Drive; Elsfield Road; Marsh Lane; Marston Ferry Road and Cycle Path; Oxford Road (between Cherwell Drive and Elsfield Rd)

Reopening no later than 1.30pm: Banbury Road (between St Giles and Marston Ferry Rd); Bardwell Road; Belbroughton Road; Chadlington Road; Charlbury Road (between Belbroughton Rd and Linton Rd); Fyfield Road; Linton Road (between Charlbury Rd and Chadlington Rd); Norham Gardens; Norham Road

Reopening no later than 2.30pm: Brasenose Lane; Catte Street; Holywell Street (between Parks Rd and Mansfield Rd); Jowett Walk; Longwall Street (Access Only); Magdalen Bridge/High Street (between Longwall Street and the Plain Roundabout); Mansfield Road; Radcliffe Square; South Parks Road; St Cross Road; Turl Street (between Broad Street ans Market Street); Parks Road (between South Parks Road & Banbury Road)

Reopening no later than 6pm: Broad Street; Museum Road; Parks Road

thisisoxfordshire:

Runners in last year's race. Picture: Richard Cave.

Who is organising the race?

The race is organised by Virgin Sport.

According to Virgin, Sunday’s Oxford Half marathon will see the company eliminate hundreds of thousands of single-use plastic bottles and replace them with recyclable cups.

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It is also replacing more than 25,000 plastic kit bags with long-life natural cotton tote bags.

The Oxford Half will become the largest race outside of London to go plastic-free.