Story added: 4th September 2024
Run Norwich Spectator Guide 2024
Run Norwich is back and we can’t wait to see you all on Sunday 8th of September.
Another sell-out field will be taking on the 10-kilometre course this year through our beautiful city centre. Over 1400 runners will be tackling a 10k for the first time and we’d love for you to help create a fantastic atmosphere for them, and the rest of the field for that matter!
We’ve compiled a quick guide for the tens of thousands of spectators expected to line the streets, balconies and windows of Norwich’s city centre below:
Key timings
08.00am – Race Village & baggage trailers open
08.30am – Junior run pen opens
08.40am – Start pens open
09.00am – Final baggage drop off
09.15am – Junior run start
09.40am – Race start
10.00am – Baggage Trailers reopen
11.10am – Race presentations in the Race Village
Best viewing points
With 10-kilometres of route to catch the action from, there’s plenty of choice. For the best atmosphere and experience, we’ve detailed some of our recommended viewing spots:
- Start / finish area (Theatre Royal / City Hall): If you want to take in the start from above, you can view from the Theatre Royal balconies, otherwise the pavement alongside Chapel Field North will give you a great view of the starting waves.The Finish, located outside the City Hall, is only a short walk away. With half-an-hour separating the gun to the winner passing the finishing tape, you can catch both the start and finish comfortably. If you fancy bringing the atmosphere even before the 10k start time, don’t forget that this year will see our junior runners take to the course too for Run Norwich Junior, with their run starting at 09.15am. Head out to course near Theatre Royal to watch them start and finish their one-mile route.
- Castle Meadow: A popular spot for spectators, Castle Meadow offers the opportunity to view the runners at both the start of their race and in their final kilometre. Cut through from Theatre Royal following the start and you’ll be able to catch the runners at three times in their journey.
- The ‘summit’ of Rose Lane / Prince of Wales: Runners past this point three times (the only spot on the course where this happens) so it makes an ideal spot to set-up base camp, with runners passing this point almost continually for close to two hours.
- Rose Lane (the Coder Climb): At the halfway mark of the race, Coder will be hosting a cheer zone on the now ‘infamous’ climb.
- Riverside: The Riverside Entertainment Complex provides plenty of viewing options from the various bars and restaurants (alfresco brunch, anyone?). There is a cheer here: the Community Sports Foundation will be in front of Riverside Leisure Centre, with members of the disability dance troupe performing.
- Norwich Cathedral One of the most picturesque vantage points to watch the race is at the Cathedral Close. Expect a variety of live music, with runners passing this section twice in their route.
Once you are all done cheering on the runners, head on over to the Race Village at Chapelfield Gardens to join the runners and soak up the post-race atmosphere. Expect music and a number of food and drink vendors. The winners will be presented with their trophies on the main bandstand at 11.10am.
There will be a variety of different allocated cheer zones out on the course, prepped and ready to bring the atmosphere for the thousands of runners making their way around the course. If you fancy hearing some live music, or simply fancy helping spurring our runners on, check out our cheer zone map below:
View our Cheer Zone map here.
Race day travel & road closures
Details of the best places to park in the city centre, the special Park & Ride service and information on other public transport options can all be found here.
The race for the podium
Whose name will be inscribed on the trophy this year? We’ve detailed who to look out for at the front here.
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