Johnson Crane Marathon organisers plead for patience

While road runners are lacing up their shoes ahead of the 34th Johnson Crane Marathon, which will be run on the morning of Sunday, January 31, organisers of the event have pleaded for patience from residents and motorists along the new race route.

Ashvin Jivan, chairman of the hosting club, Benoni Harriers, has asked residents around Sahara Park Willowmoore to exercise patience for the duration of the event, from 3am to noon on Sunday.

“It is our first time holding the marathon from this venue and we hope that it will be a pleasant experience for all,” he said.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the event and we also call upon the people of Benoni to help us to make it work.”

The following roads and intersections will be affected for water stations and the runners:

42km/21km:

Roads: Harpur Avenue (CBD) – start 42km and 21km, Liverpool Street (CBD) – start and finish for 5km and 10km, Kimbolton Street (CBD), Woburn Avenue (CBD), The Drive (Westdene), Sunny Road (Westdene), Atlas Road (Benoni/Boksburg – Westwood Village), Philips Road (Westwood AH), Bartlett Road (Boksburg), Elizabeth Road (Boksburg), Rolls Royce Road (Boksburg), Mercury Road (Alphen Park), Wilge Road (Lakeside), Homestead Dam (Lakeside), Coleridge Road (Farrarmere), Cambridge Road (Farrarmere), Linnet Street (Farrarmere), Main Road (Farrarmere), Fourth Avenue (Northmead), Fifth Avenue (Northmead), Snake Road R23, Pioneer Drive (CBD), Wilstead Street (CBD), Harpur Avenue (CBD) and Tom Jones Street (CBD).

Intersections: Kimbolton Street and Harpur Avenue (main), Sher Avenue and Atlas Road (main), Bartlett Road and North Rand Road (main), Elizabeth Road and Ridge Road (Checkers Bartlett), Rolls Royce and Atlas Road (main), Main Road and Linnet Street (main), Fourth and Fifth Avenue (main), Fifth Avenue and Snake Road (main), Harpur Street and Voortrekker (main), Harpur Street and Tom Jones (main), Tom Jones (CBD).

The new Johnson Crane Marathon route runs through parts of Benoni and Boksburg.

10km/5km:

Affected roads: Liverpool Street (CBD), Luton Street (Benoni Industrial), Birmingham Road (Actonville), Barnsley Street (Benoni Industrial), Styx Road (Benoni Industrial), Reading Road (Actonville), Soma Street (Actonville), Actonville Circle, Liverpool Road (Benoni Industrial), Bolton Street (Benoni Industrial), Dagenham Road (Amata Pan – Benoni Industrial), Lancaster Road (Benoni Industrial).

Full closure: Snake Road closure for Voortrekker Street/Range View Road and Tom Jones Street (4am to noon), Harpur Avenue closure (3.30am to noon), Liverpool Street closure (3.30am to noon).