Swindon Half Marathon 2026: What you need to know
Getty ImagesTraffic disruption is expected on Sunday as the Swindon Half Marathon returns to the town for a second consecutive year.
Various roads in the town and surrounding area will be closed from 08:00 BST, including Dorcan Way, Kingfisher Drive and The Ridgeway.
Like last year, the 13.1-mile (21km) route will begin and finish at Coate Water Country Park, running through the town's eastern suburbs before heading south beyond the M4 motorway via Wanborough, Badbury and Medbourne.
Runners will be raising money for Prospect Hospice, the event's charity of the year, with several other charity partners.
Last year's event welcomed over 3,000 runners, and organisers are expecting "another strong turnout this year".
Where will people be running?
Runners will leave the country park before heading north through Eldene and Dorcan, crossing the A419 and heading southeast.
The climb gets steeper around Wanborough, and runners cross the M4 at Foxhill before heading north again, having reached Badbury.
The final section then involves re-crossing the M4 close to Junction 15 at Medbourne before passing Badbury Park to finish back at Coate.
Which roads will be shut and when?
Various Roads will be closed in the hour before the race begins at 09:00 BST, with the borough council having issued a temporary traffic order for the event.
On its website, organiser RunThrough says that it intends to reopen roads on a rolling basis, with Marlborough Road and Dorcan Way expected to open to traffic before 10:00 BST.
The majority of roads are expected to reopen between 10:00 BST and 12:00 BST, with the final road, Day House Lane, expected to be open to traffic from 12:30 BST.
Where does the money raised go?
A spokesperson from the event said: "Prospect Hospice is the event's charity of the year and will be the main charity represented and supported on the day. Fundraising isn't a requirement for taking part though, and runners are equally welcome to support another cause that matters to them or run for their own personal reasons."
There are also four charity partners: Brighter Futures, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Wiltshire Tree House, Young Swindon & Wiltshire and Swindon Food Collective.
The spokesperson said they "will have opportunities to connect with runners and raise awareness of their work".
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