Dong Zhen/ Shanghai Daily news

Traffic restrictions will be placed on some roads around the city today to make way for the city's annual marathon, police announced yesterday.

The 11th Dongli Cup Shanghai International Marathon would kick off at 7:30am along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, near the Bund, with those taking part in the full run headed toward Minhang Stadium, in Minhang District.

The run is expected to wrap up by 2pm.

The Gudai Road exit ramp on the Outer Ring Road and the Jindu Road exit ramp on the A4 Expressway will be temporarily closed for the event.

Nanjing Road, between Zhongshan Road E1 and Yan'an Road W, would be inaccessible to vehicles from 7:30am to 9am on Sunday. Yan'an Road W between Nanjing Road and Zhongshan Road W will be closed from 9am to noon.

This year's run is expected to draw more than 17,000 runners from 41 countries, about 2,000 more athletes than took part in last year's event.

Volunteers will give performances throughout the run at several major locations around the city, such as Jing'an Park and Minhang Stadium, organizers said yesterday.