Plymouth prepares for sold-out running festival

7th May 2026

Road closures will be in place across Plymouth on Sunday 17 May 2026 as the city hosts Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival, the largest mass participation running event in Devon.

Organisers have confirmed that the event is now sold out and are urging residents and visitors to plan ahead. Full details of all road closures and timings are available at:
https://runplymouth.co.uk/road-closures/

The closures are being implemented to ensure the safety of participants, spectators and volunteers, with thousands expected to line the streets. A professional Traffic Management company will oversee the operation, with CCTV in place at closure points to support safety and effective delivery.

While some disruption is expected, organisers say the measures are essential to deliver a safe and successful event and are asking the public to share the information widely.

Suzi Cumberland Event Director at Taurus Events commented “We are pleased to be working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police to support the safe delivery of this year’s Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival. This is a significant event for the city, and our teams will be working collaboratively with officers and PCSOs present across key locations to provide reassurance, engagement, and support throughout the day.

We would remind all road users that temporary road closures will be in place and must be adhered to. Any breaches of these restrictions are taken seriously and will be investigated. We ask for the public’s cooperation and patience to help ensure the event runs safely and successfully for everyone involved.”

Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival will see thousands take part in the Plymouth Half Marathon, Plymouth 10K and the Primary Schools Challenge, bringing together runners of all abilities in a celebration of activity and community.

Figures from the 2025 event highlight the scale and impact of the festival, with more than 10,000 participants and around 40,000 spectators attending. Visitors travelled from 378 towns and cities, contributing an estimated £798,000 to the local economy and generating 927 overnight stays in Plymouth.

The event also continues to deliver significant charitable impact, with over £750,000 raised for charities across the UK, including a strong proportion supporting Devon-based organisations.

The Primary Schools Challenge remains a key part of the event, with 3,500 young people from 64 Plymouth schools taking part last year.

Anyone requiring further information or support regarding road closures can contact the event team at info@taurusevents.co.uk.

Event organisers are encouraging residents to come out and support participants on the day, helping to create a vibrant atmosphere across the city. For those wanting to get more involved, volunteers are also being sought to help support the delivery of the event. Anyone interested can find out more and sign up at www.runplymouth.co.uk/volunteer