Dash to the Sydney Half Marathon on public transport
Thousands of runners will pound the city streets on Sunday 4 May for the Runaway Half Marathon and public transport is the best way to get to and from the race.
A sold out 25,000 participants are expected to take part in the 21.1km and 10km events around the Sydney CBD, Barangaroo and Pyrmont. Runners are advised to catch public transport and plan their trip to the starting line early and to take care getting to and from the event.
Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said major roads will be closed along and surrounding the course from 4am.
“On Sunday morning our city streets will be given over to a sea of runners as they make their way around the beautiful Harbour foreshore,” Mr Collins said.
The Cahill Expressway over Circular Quay will close from 4am to 12.30pm while the Western Distributor will close from 5am to 10.30am. During this time there will be no direct access from the Anzac Bridge to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Other roads in the city and around the harbour foreshore in Circular Quay, The Rocks, Dawes Point, Millers Point, Barangaroo and Pyrmont will also be closed. Some roads will begin to reopen from 9.30am with all road closures lifted by 1pm.
Special event clearway parking restrictions will also be in effect on roads along and surrounding the course at various times between 1am and 12.30pm. Drivers are urged to check signs carefully before parking to avoid being towed.
All other motorists are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel in the CBD and Pyrmont areas during the event or allow plenty of extra travel time, with diversions in place and delays expected.
“Runners and supporters are asked to leave the car at home and use public transport to get to the start line on the Cahill Expressway, Macquarie Street near Circular Quay.
Light rail services will run regularly from 5am. The closest stops to the start line are Bridge Street and Circular Quay on the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.
Extra metro services will run from 4am until 9.30am between Tallawong and Sydenham. Martin Place station is within short walking distance of the start line, exit via Hunter Street.
Plenty of buses also make stops at Circular Quay, Martin Place and Wynyard – within short walking distance of the start line. Keep in mind that buses will be affected by road closures and will be diverting from their regular routes and using different stops. If you’re catching buses to or from the event, plan ahead to see if your route is affected.
Moore Park will be busy with more than 40,000 footy fans expected at the AFL Sydney derby match kicking off at 1.10pm; three The Wiggles shows at neighbouring Hordern Pavilion between 10am and 4pm and The Le Marché French Markets at the Entertainment Quarter from 9.30am until 2pm.
Anyone travelling on public transport to the Runaway Sydney Half Marathon will need to use an Opal card or contactless payment option when travelling to and from the event. Fans attending the AFL match have travel on transport included in event tickets.
To plan your trip visit transportnsw.info and for more detailed road closure and clearway information visit livetraffic.com.