Reading Half Marathon: show your support
Wednesday, 14 March 2018
The Reading Half Marathon will return to the streets of Reading on Sunday 18 March.
Spanning 13.1 miles, the race takes runners across Reading and includes a one-mile stretch through Whiteknights campus. The half marathon attracts more than 10,000 runners every year, including many of our own staff and students.
Support staff and students running for Cara
This year, our staff and students are running in support of our partnership with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara). Cara helps academics in immediate danger reach a place of sanctuary where they can continue to carry out their work and vital research. Colleagues and students from all parts of the University have already signed up to take part – and they need your help.
A funding page has been set up so that colleagues can sponsor those running the half marathon. All gifts are greatly appreciated – please visit the funding page to make a donation today, and cheer the runners on as they pass through campus.
Promoting good health
Running is great for physical and mental health. As well as encouraging healthier lifestyles, the University is proud of its research to improve human health, and in training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
To help highlight this, the Reading School of Pharmacy will be offering free health checks for runners and supporters at the race village at the Madejski Stadium on the morning of the event. If you’re at the stadium to race or cheer on the athletes, please pay the University stand a visit.
Route through campus
The half marathon route will once again take runners through our Whiteknights campus, entering at the Pepper Lane entrance and following the road past Harry Nursten, around RSSL, Chemistry and Archaeology. The route passes the front of Whiteknights House, continues along Queens Drive with a detour though car park 1A and exits at the main Shinfield Road entrance by the Sports Park.
Several roads will be closed throughout Reading throughout the day, including Pepper Lane and Shinfield Road, and will affect scheduled bus services. Details of all closures and travel information will be available on the Reading Half Marathon website shortly.
Visitors and residents on campus can cheer on the runners and enjoy musical entertainment at several points on the route around Whiteknights.
Please note there will be no vehicle access to or from Whiteknights campus from 7:45 am until approximately 1:00 pm. In preparation for the race, there will be some parking restrictions in car park 1A from the evening of Thursday 15 March.