A record number of entrants into this year’s Dundee Marathon has led to warnings of possible road delays on race day.
That is the warning from race organiser Nicholas Kydd, who said about 1,000 runners have already signed up to either the full marathon, known as the Dram (Dundee Running Adventure Marathon), or the half-marathon, known as the Half Dram, this Sunday.
Last year the event attracted approximately 500 entrants, but with this figure doubled in 2012 Mr Kydd is appealing to motorists to be patient if they are held up at points along the route.
Athletes taking part in the full marathon cover the ”Green Circular” route, starting at Camperdown Park and taking a clockwise route around the city before ending back at the park.
The half-marathon will also start at Camperdown Park, with entrants finishing opposite Barnhill Rock Gardens in Broughty Ferry.
Although runners will largely avoid running on busy roads, there are three hotspots where delays are expected.
The first of these will occur shortly after the runners set off at about 9.45am on the Coupar Angus Road, between Camperdown and Templeton Woods.
Although the road will not be closed, police will temporarily stop traffic for about 15 minutes.
Motorists in Claypotts are also being warned of intermittent delays between 11am and 11.45am when runners make their way across the dual carriageway at the Michelin plant, then go past Sainsbury’s before crossing the Arbroath Road by Clearwater Park.
The final delay is expected on Maule Street in Monifieth as runners head towards Riverview Caravan Park.
Mr Kydd said he appreciates the patience of drivers to let the runners move safely through the city.
”I am hoping that because it is on a Sunday morning, there won’t be too many drivers held up,” he said. ”I appreciate those who will pay a bit of extra attention when the event is on because there will be a lot of runners.”