Up to 1000 runners will be pounding the pavements when the Tauranga Half Marathon returns to the city on Sunday.

The city's premier annual road running race is now into 12th year and race director Luke Garea puts its continuing popularity down to the focus on organisers providing a quality event with scenic courses across distances suitable for all abilities.

'A good course and a great experience is what we deliver. The event is becoming very well-known and we continue to get great feedback from participants.”

Jess Ruthe will be back this year in an attempt to regain the half marathon she last won in 2015.

But the men's elite half marathon field look as strong as ever, with well-known and nationally ranked locals Kyle MacDonald and Craig Kirkwood lining up again.

As well as the Half Marathon distance, there are also 15km, 10km, 5km and mile (1.7km) options for those seeking a slightly shorter challenge.

Entries for all distances can be done at pre-event registration today at the Bayfair Shopping Centre which finishes at 6pm.

With cloudy periods forecast for Sunday, conditions look good for the 7.00am Half Marathon start.

The first finishers are expected to cross the finish line at Fergusson Park about 8.10am. The other events run throughout the morning with the Matua Mile the final event at 10.30am.

ROAD CLOSURES:

While the Tauranga Half Marathon takes place on Sunday the following road closures will be in place.

Full road closures – from 6am – 9.30am

• Hamilton Street – from Willow to The Strand
• The Strand – from Harington Street to Devonport Road
• Devonport Road – from The Strand to Elizabeth Street

Lane closures – from 6am – 9.30am

• Chapel Street (from Marsh Street to Brown Street)
• Brown Street (from Chapel Street to Willow Street)
• Willow Street (from Brown Street to Harington Street)
• Devonport Road (from Elizabeth Street to Ninth Avenue)

Parking restrictions – from 1am to 11am:

• Waratah Street – full street on both sides
• Ranui Street – full street on both sides
• Levers Road (from Ranui to Otumoetai Road) – one side, closest to Pah Street
• Otumoetai Road (from Levers to Ngatai Road) – one side, closest to Cooneys Drive
• Ngatai Road (from Otumoetai Road to Maxwells Road) – one side, on the BP side of the road

Boat ramp access

The Fergusson Park boat ramp will be closed between 6.30am and 11am. Alternative nearby boat ramps (e.g. Kulim Park) will be operational. Organisers hope that boat ramp users will be able to adjust their plans during this short period of time without too much inconvenience.

For more information, visit taurangahalfmarathon.co.nz