Run for the Kids 2019: What you need to know about road closures

Punters have been asked to leave the car at home this weekend as tens of thousands of people flock to the CBD to support the Herald Sun and Transurban’s Run For The Kids. See the full map of affected roads.

Participants compete in the 5km course in the 2018 Run for the Kids. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Punters have been asked to leave the car at home this weekend as tens of thousands of people flock to the CBD to support the Herald Sun and Transurban’s Run For The Kids.

There will be significant delays and detours around Docklands and North Melbourne on Sunday as roads are closed to mark out the route for the popular event.

Some of Melbourne’s busiest arterials will be blocked and traffic will be banned from the West Gate Freeway, Bolte Bridge, Latrobe and Montague streets as early as 3am.

But if you can’t avoid using a car, park in the CBD or South Wharf and avoid all Docklands roads between 3am and 4pm, with Docklands carparks inaccessible due to road closures.

Runners on the long course start at the Marvel Stadium on Harbour Esplanade, pound up the West Gate Freeway, head over the Bolte Bridge and make their way over CityLink before exiting at Racecourse Road. They will get to pass the Royal Children’s Hospital on Flemington Rd before heading back to the Docklands to finish on Latrobe Street near Harbour Esplanade.

The 5.2km Woodlea short course also takes in the best of the Docklands, as well as the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.

Smaller streets around North Melbourne will also be closed from 7.30am as the event ramps up. City traffic will be majorly affected and attendees have been urged to allow as much extra travel time as possible while rail disruptions put passengers on to buses in the southeast.

Although Essendon may have made a slow start to the AFL season, when it comes to the Good Friday Appeal the Bombers are flying.

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, coach John Worsfold and chief executive Xavier Campbell will take part in the Herald Sun Run For The Kids, to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Heppell will tackle the 5km run, inspired by eight-year-old Bombers fan James, who has been through four open heart surgeries and will never be able to play footy because of illness.

“We’re looking forward to running out there on Sunday to support children and their families that are going through a tough time,’’ Heppell said.

Essendon coach John Worsfold, James, 8, and captain Dyson Heppell will all take part in the Herald Sun Run For The Kids. Picture: Alex Coppel

Sports fans also face a weekend of transport challenges with footy, soccer, basketball and rugby league fans urged to brace for traffic jams.

Buses will again replace trains on many popular lines and several services will skip Richmond station, despite AFL, A-League, Super Rugby and NRL matches at the MCG and Melbourne Park.

The MCC will open more carparking at the MCG and send scooter services to the city to pick up footy fans.

Five AFL matches will be staged in Melbourne this weekend, as well as a Melbourne City clash on Friday, Melbourne Rebels match on Saturday and Harlem Globetrotters games on Sunday.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said fans should leave home early despite extra parking. “We still urge fans coming to the matches to plan ahead and allow extra time to travel to the MCG, as there are other events on around the precinct at the same time as the AFL matches,’’ he said.

“Our strong advice to footy fans is to still take public transport to the MCG if possible and to consider alternative parking in the CBD and surrounding areas.”

Brunton Avenue will be closed to traffic during AFL matches.

Wellington Parade will be closed after Saturday night’s Collingwood-West Coast Grand Final replay with crowds of about 60,000 expected at the MCG.

To date the event has raised over $17.1 million dollars for the appeal.

FULL ROAD CLOSURES

— Harbour Esplanade

— Bourke Street

— Navigation Drive

— Collins Street

— Victoria Harbour

— Charles Grimes Bridge

— Lorimer Street

— Kings Way Exit Ramp

— Bolte Bridge and CityLink

— Boundary Road

— Dryburgh St

— Abbotsford Street

— Arden St

— Miller Street

— Railway Place

— Dudley Street

— Adderley Street

— Latrobe Street

Click here for the full list of restricted access, open roads and road closures.