Major events guide
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Many new supporters may be looking to visit a major athletics event in the UK for the first time, so we are providing some hints on getting to some of the venues used for championships in 2012. Those planning to attend the indoor meetings in Glasgow, Sheffield and Birmingham, read on.....
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Glasgow - Aviva International Match, Saturday 28th January 2012
Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena
1445 Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AW
General Enquiries: 0141 276 1450
Bookings: 0141 337 1806
Web: www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Sports_Fitness/GlasgowClub/Centres/KelvinHall
Event timetable: latest timetable here.
About the venue
The Kelvin Hall was completed in 1927, and has been used for exhibitions, including the 1951 Festival of Britain. It was re-opened as a Sports Arena in 1987 and hosted the European Indoor Championships in 1990, the first time it had been staged in Britain. It is expected to be used during the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
How to get there
Kelvin Hall is in Glasgow's West End, about 2 miles from the city centre. For further details see Strathclyde Partnership for Transport www.spt.co.uk .
By car - Westbound: follow the Clydeside Expressway for approximately half a mile. Exit at the junction for Finnieston. Turn right onto Finnieston Street and follow this road until the next junction. Turn left into Argyle Street. Kelvin Hall ISA is approximately one mile along Argyle Street on the left hand side. From North and South follow the main routes to Glasgow and on meeting the M8 follow the signs for "Glasgow City Centre".
By bus - Buses 9, 16, 18, 62 and 64 pass the Kelvin Hall.
By tram - Glasgow's circular underground system has a station for Kelvin Hall. Trains are every 4-8 minutes Monday to Saturday (between 0630 and 2330).
By train - Partick Station is a 10-minute walk from the Kelvin Hall. Trains from Glasgow Central or Glasgow Queen Street take 6-7 minutes.
Hotels - A list of Glasgow hotels can be found at www.glasgowguide.co.uk/hotels.html.
Catering - Fast food is available at the venue.
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Sheffield - AVIVA World Indoor Trials and UK Championships, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February 2012
English Institute of Sport (EIS)
Coleridge Road
Sheffield
S9 5DA
General Enquiries: 0114 223 5600
Bookings: 0114 223 5604
Website: www.eis-sheffield.co.uk
Email: info@eis-sheffield.co.uk
Event timetable: latest timetable here.
About the venue
Opened in December 2003, the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EIS Sheffield) is one of the country's most impressive indoor sports training facilities. The 200m track has been the venue for the AAA/UK Indoor Championships since 2004. During these championships the spectator capacity is 2,000.
How to get there
The EIS is on the east side of the city, about 2 miles from the city centre. It is close to the Don Valley Stadium and the Hallam FM Arena. There is usually ample parking as the Arena's car park is often used on event days, although there is a fee. Limited free parking in the vicinity may be available for those who search and persist, but please show consideration for residents! See the Sheffield City Transport website of www.yorkshiretravel.net.
By car from the M1 - Leave the motorway at junction 34 (Sheffield Meadowhall). At the roundabout, follow signs A6178 City Centre and Attercliffe. Go past Meadowhall Shopping Centre on your right and continue straight ahead. Follow the signs for "Attercliffe" and "Don Valley Stadium/Hallam FM Arena". Go past the Hallam FM Arena on your left and continue on Attercliffe Road. The EIS-Sheffield is on the left (between iceSheffield and Don Valley Stadium) on Coleridge Road.
By car from the City Centre - Travel through the Wicker and along Attercliffe Common (A6178) towards Meadowhall. EIS-Sheffield is approximately 2 miles from the city centre on the right (after Don Valley Stadium).
By bus - A large number of bus routes serve the Institute from the bus station/Sheffield Passenger Interchange and depart every 10 minutes. The route numbers include 69, 130 and 287.
By tram - Sheffield's multi-million pound light rail system has a stop close to the Institute. Trams between the City Centre and Meadowhall call at the "Don Valley Arena" stop near Coleridge Road. The contact number for Supertram is 0114 272 8282 (8.30am - 5pm). Trams appear to run every 10-20 minutes all day even at weekends.
Hotels - Sheffield City Centre has a variety of hotels. An extensive list can be found here.
Close to the EIS are the following hotels: The Station Hotel, 732 Attercliffe Road 0114 256 0301; The ETAP Hotel Sheffield Arena, 298 Attercliffe Common 0114 243 4109; Premier Inn, Attercliffe Common Road 0870 238 3316; Wentworth House Hotel. 26 Milford Street 0114 244 1594.
Catering
A limited selection of snacks and beverages is usually available on event days. Previous experience has suggested the venue to be tolerant of spectators bringing in their own food.
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Birmingham - AVIVA Indoor Grand Prix, Saturday 18th February 2012
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National Indoor Arena
King Edward's Road
Birmingham
B1 2AA
General Enquiries: 0121 780 4141
Website: www.thenia.co.uk
Email: info@necgroup.co.uk
Event timetable: latest timetable here.
About the venue
The National Indoor Arena was opened in 1991 and has been put to a wide variety of sports and entertainment uses, including Davis Cup tennis, Gladiators and the Eurovision Song Contest. It has hosted Britain's main annual indoor grand prix athletics meeting since 1992, and has also staged the 2003 World Indoor Championships and the 2007 European Indoor Championships.
The most expensive seats are along the finishing straight in blocks 9-11, as well as opposite the finish line on the back straight in block 3. However, every seat has a great view - blocks 1-4 are on the back straight, 5-8 on the first bend (the only bend, as there are no seats on the second bend) and 9-12 on the finishing straight.
How to get there
The NIA is in Birmingham city centre, close to the Brindleyplace and Broad Street entertainment district. Local public transport information can be found here.
By car - The venue is signposted from most major roads in and around the city. The NIA has its own car parks with charges of around £1 an hour. Blue badge holders are exempt from all charges. Alternatively there is a car park at nearby Cambridge Street.
By bus - Local bus information can be found here.
By train - The venue is a 15-20 minute walk through the city centre from Birmingham's New Street or Snow Hill stations. Leave New Street station via the Victoria Square exit. Cross the road and continue up Pinfold Street to Victoria Square. When you enter Victoria Square follow the signs for Paradise Forum, Convention Centre and National Indoor Arena. Continue towards Central Library and through Paradise Forum and out into Centenary Square. Continue straight ahead through Centenary Square. Turn right just in front of the ICC, when you meet the road turn left and continue down the road until you reach the NIA on the left-hand side. Alternatively, it is also a 15-20 minute walk along Broad Street from Five Ways station.
Hotels - A list of Birmingham hotels can be found at www.visitbirmingham.com. Amongst those closest to the NI are: City Inn, 1 Brunswick Square, Brindleyplace 0121 643 1003; Copthorne Hotel, Paradise Place, 0121 200 2727; Novotel. 70 Broad Street 0121 643 2000; Travelodge, 230 Broad Street 0871 984 6064; Jury's Inn, 245 Broad Street 0121 606 9000.
Catering - Spectators are not generally permitted to bring their own food into the NIA. Fast food only is on sale within the venue, although there is a range of alternatives available at outlets in nearby Brindleyplace and Broad Street.
Special thanks to Richard Cooper
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