Road closures have been announced as thousands of runners gear up for the Dubai Marathon on Friday. Organisers confirmed some routes will be off limits to motorists from midnight until 1pm to accommodate the sporting event. Jumeirah Road and King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street will be closed between Al Mehemal Street and Al Naseem Street. Drivers are asked to use an alternative route along Al Wasl Road and Sheikh Zayed Road. “There will be clear and obvious road signs and road closure notices in prominent places informing the public of these temporary adjustments for the event,” said Alan Ewens, Dubai Marathon media director. Abdullah Omran Taryam Street will also be closed as it is the finish line for the 10km and 4km races also taking place on Friday morning. The marathon starts at the Madinat Jumeirah end of Umm Suqeim Road before turning left towards Al Sufouh, past Dubai College Junction. Marathon runners will make a U-turn at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi traffic lights before running back along Al Sufouh and then up Jumeirah Beach Road towards the new bridge in Dubai Creek. They will then make a U-turn at the Al Mehemal junction just before the bridge, heading back to the Madinat Jumeirah junction before they run the same exact section for a second time. Once runners complete a second lap of the Jumeirah Beach Road section they will turn left at the Burj Al Arab along the Madinat Jumeirah junction before reaching the finish line at the Dubai Police Academy. Earlier this month, Khalid Al Award, Director of Dubai Sports Council's Sports Events Department, said this year's event was expected to attract more than 50,000 entrants, which would be a record number in the race's 21st year. The marathon is due to start at 6.30am on Friday, followed by 9am for the 10km race and 11am for the 4km fun run.