Thousands of runners and spectators are expected to attend the Sport Aberdeen event which takes place on Sunday 5 May.

A number of traffic restrictions will be in place around the city and beach area of Aberdeen next weekend for the BHGE 10K Running Festival.

Kicking off at the Race Village on Beach Boulevard, the scenic race route will take runners out towards Waterloo Quay and Aberdeen Harbour, before running the length of the Beach Esplanade, through Bridge of Don, Pittodrie Park and Sport Aberdeen’s King’s Links golf course, before finishing at the Beach Ballroom.

Keith Gerrard, Director of Health and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said:

“The support that the race receives each year is consistently inspiring and as always, the run up to the event is a very exciting time for all involved and it is a pleasure to see the joint efforts of the community, charities and organisers pay off, come the big day.

“We’d like to thank our participants, spectators and sponsors for their support and look forward to seeing them on race day.”

Residents have been advised there will be parking and traffic restrictions in place on roads around the race route.

Organisers are advising people to plan their journeys in advance, with additional crowds anticipated with it being the May bank holiday weekend.

Links Road between the Beach Ballroom and Urquhart Road will be closed from 6.00am on Saturday 27 April until 2.00pm on Sunday 5 May.

Accommodation Road will be closed between the Beach Esplanade and Golf Road from 6.00am on Saturday 4 May until 2.00pm on Sunday 5 May.

The Beach Esplanade from King Street at Bridge of Don to New Pier Road and Pittodrie Street will be closed rom 4.00am on Sunday 5 May, reopening at 1.00pm.

Beach Boulevard from Links Road to the Beach Esplanade will be closed from 4.00am until 2.00pm, with the road from Links Road to Wellington Street closed from 9.00am until noon.

Elsewhere a number of other routes will be closed to traffic from 9.00am until noon to make way for the crowds, including Wellington Street to Waterloo Quay, York Place heading to York Street, Pocra Quay and New Pier Road.

There will also be no traffic access on Commerce Street southbound from Virginia Street and Miller Street to Waterloo Quay between 6.00am and 1.00pm on Sunday 5 May.

Regent Walk at Golf Road eastbound and Seaton Crescent to Seaton Road, Seaton Drive, Seaton Walk to King Street will all be closed from 6.00am to 1.00pm on Sunday 5 May.

Those taking part in the race can meet at the Race Village, which will open at 8.00am, with family activities starting at 8.30am.

The Specsavers 2K Race will start at 9.00am from outside Sport Aberdeen’s Beach Leisure Centre.

The Wheelchair 10K Race begins at 9.25am and the main 10K Race will begin at 9.30am.

This year, organisers also hope to make it one of the most environmentally friendly races in Scotland.

This year’s BHGE 10K Running Festival will see a reduced number of single use plastics in use and water stations to reduce waste and biodegradable goody bags with fewer plastic items inside them.

Zoe Lewis, Sport Aberdeen’s Event Lead, continued:

“Every year we strive to be more environmentally friendly. We understand the importance of reducing our single use plastic use and are making positive changes to help make this year’s race one of the most sustainable yet.

“In addition, there are small ways participants and spectators can help with our plans on the day too, for example by using the green recycling bins provided or taking their own reusable water bottle to fill up at the water station in the Race Village.”