It’s one of the biggest sporting events on the calendar… and this year it starts 30 minutes earlier than usual.

As thousands of brave runners from all over Ireland put in their final training sessions before the Cork City Marathon on Sunday, June 3rd, participants are reminded that this year there is a slight change to start times/

The Full and Team Relay starting bright and early at 8.30am and the Half Marathon commencing at 10.15am in order to accommodate the annual Eucharistic Procession.

Meanwhile the Council has been busy planning how to ensure the event goes smoothly.

It’s worth making a note of the road closures, especially if they affect your travel plans on the day.

The following streets will be closed to public traffic from 5.30am on Sunday, June 3rd 2018 to 6pm on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018:

St. Patrick’s Street, Academy Street, Half Moon Street, Little William Street, Emmett Place, Drawbridge Street, North Main Street, Adelaide Street, Cornmarket Street, Kyle’s Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Grand Parade, South Mall, Parnell Place, Merchant’s Quay, Lavitt’s Quay, Coal Quay, Kyrl’s Quay, Pope’s Quay, Camden Quay and Christy Ring Bridge.

Alternative routes for traffic will be as signposted and the Mahon Walkway will be closed for pedestrian use from Blackrock Castle to its junction with the old Passage Railway Line, and from there to its junction with the Marina, from 7.30am until noon on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018.

If you’re planning on heading to town to support the marathon runners, the Black Ash Park and Ride facility will operate a normal service for the day.

Paul Street car park will open from 11:30am until midnight, while North Main Street car park will open from 11:30am to 9:30pm.