OVER three days, tens of thousands of people will line the streets of Glasgow to catch a glimpse of elite athletes competing in events of extreme endurance.

On Sunday July 27, some of the world's top marathon runners will leave Glasgow Green at 9am on a 26-mile course which will take them past some of the city's best-known landmarks.

They will compete against a stunning backdrop that will include the Merchant City, George Square, Buchanan Street, the Clyde Arc, and Bellahouston and Pollok parks, before heading to the finish line through Pollokshields and the ­Gorbals. Athletes will cross the River Clyde four times as they complete two laps of the course.

On Thursday July 31, cyclists taking part in the time trial will leave Glasgow Green at 10am on a course which takes them in a single loop through the East End, East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire.

The men will compete over a 40km (25mile) course and the women over 30km (19miles).

Glasgow Green will also be the start and finish point for the cycling road race on Sunday August 3.

At 8am, competitors will set off for Argyle Street and Buchanan Street, St Vincent Street, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow University, Byres Road before heading back along Woodlands Road towards the city centre and the Green.

The marathon is due to finish at 1pm, the time trial at 4pm and the road race at 5pm.

That means countless streets along the three routes will be closed or have parking restrictions for most of the day.

Setting up of the road race route will begin at midnight and bus lanes will be suspended from 3am until midnight on event day.

Road closures will begin at 3am and will reopen when it is safe to do so, with no time yet set.

No vehicles other than emergency services will be allowed to cross the route and there will be designated pedestrian crossing points.

Householders will not be able to get their cars out of their drives on race days and are advised to move them the day before the event.

As well as the thousands watching the three road races, many more will attend sporting events at ­venues across the city as well as at the live zones in the Merchant City, Glasgow Green and Kelvingrove Bandstand.

Paul Zealey, Glasgow 2014 head of engagement, said: "The city is going to be much busier than it normally is so people will need to plan ahead as travel into the city from the north, south, east and west is going to take considerably longer than usual.

"The marathon and the road race cover large tranches of the city so it will be an opportunity for people to get up close and personal to Commonwealth action.

"Many of the bigger employers have had advice from us on how to try to mitigate the impact of the Games but the big challenge will be for people who normally bring cars into the city."

Road closures means buses will be diverted but Mr Zealey said each of the affected routes will have clear advice signs at bus stops

He added: "The Games will be a great experience for most people but we do realise some will have to work and they will need to plan ahead."

Games bosses say the days of the road events will be the busiest days of the Games and will have the most extensive road restrictions across the city.

But they insist closures will be in place for the ­shortest amount of time possible and will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.

That will happen when spectators have dispersed, all equipment is removed and any street or road facilities removed for the smooth running of the event are reinstated.

A Games spokeswoman said: "On these days we would urge people to leave their cars at home.

"City-centre car parks will be significantly busier and you may not be able to access some due to road closures.

"On road-event days, ­restrictions around the course will mean travel within the surrounding area will be significantly impacted."

George Vincent, the city council's project management and design manager, said: "Glasgow will be open for business throughout the Games.

"But it will not be business as usual - and particularly so on the days when road events, such as cycling and the marathon are taking place."

Information on all the road closures and any parking restrictions during the Games is available at getreadyglasgow.com

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk