IT'S all systems go for this Sunday's Chester 10k race as things stand.

Race organisers Chris Hulse and Andy White have informed competitors in the 2020 Aldi Chester 10K that the event is going ahead as planned, but added: "We will however monitor any coronavirus developments and take official advice as the situation evolves."

About 5,000 runners are expected to take part in the new-look event – the city's third annual 10K race – which incorporates more of the city, and will feature two 'waves'.

Joint race organiser Chris Hulse said: “We had so much positive feedback about the new start for the marathon held last October that we decided to incorporate it in a new route for our 10K race.

“We have grown the race to accommodate 5,000 runners by splitting it into two waves. The new Nuns Road start location coupled with our fantastic Chester Racecourse HQ fits the bill perfectly.

“To top it all off we have routed the course down past the Town Hall and Cathedral with the runners finishing on Eastgate Street. The iconic Eastgate Clock will provide a cracking backdrop for the end of the race!”

An elite field will compete for glory in the 9am start, with the majority of competitors being club and fun runners in both the 9am and 9.30am waves.

The 10km (6.2 mile) road race takes runners out to Mollington where they will loop around the village before returning to the city.

Joint race organiser Andy White added: “It is expected that the fastest runners will be flying down Northgate Street at around 9.30am, and we expect plenty of spectators will turn out to support them and enjoy the sporting action.”

The 2020 Chester 10K will see the event organisers taking steps to make their events even more environmentally friendly by trialling a sustainable water delivery system, doing away with single-use plastic bottles at the drinks station and serving water in paper cups instead.

In addition to the change at the drink station, the finisher race shirts will no longer be individually wrapped in plastic bags.

Many of the runners tackling the course will be using it as preparation for the Essar Chester 2020 Half Marathon being held on Sunday, May 17. Places are filling fast for the 39th running of this classic half marathon, which also sells out every year.

The Teenage Cancer Trust is the official event charity for the 10K and Chester-based Active Leisure Events expect their three races this year to raise £1m overall for local and national causes.

For more information on the Aldi Chester 10k, the Essar Chester 2020 Half Marathon and its sister event the MBNA Chester Marathon, visit www.activeleisureevents.co.uk.

List of road closures

  • Parkgate Road (A540) will be closed from 08:30 to 11:30. Residents can access Chester or the Wirral using Station Lane to get onto the A41. To access Saughall use either Overwood Lane or Coalpit Lane.
  • The race starts will be on Nuns Road, which will be closed from 04:00 to 14:00.
  • There will be delays between 08:50 - 10:00 for two periods of approximately 15 minutes each, on Lower Watergate Street, New Crane Street and Sealand Road.
  • In the Garden Quarter the main road closures are: Walpole Street, Cheyney Road, Garden Lane and Bouverie Street which will be closed from 8:45 until 11:30; with Raymond Street and Canal Street closed from 9:00 until 11:30.
  • Residents of Bouverie Street north of Garden Lane can exit via West Lorne Street onto Chichester Street. Residents of Raymond Street are advised to park south of the junction with Canal Street, and will be able to exit on Tower Road to New Crane Street, except for the short periods when runners are passing.
  • Road closures do not apply to pedestrians. If you are on the run route please take care as there will be race vehicles on the route.