PHOENIX – Motorists might find themselves running into delays on Saturday as Phoenix Marathon participants run through Arizona’s largest city.
Closures related to Phoenix’s new signature marathon will start at 4 a.m. and be lifted in stages by 2 p.m. as runners complete sections, according to Lauren Evans of the city’s Street Transportation Department.
“Traffic will not be permitted to cross the race route during the event. Motorists should plan ahead for possible delays,” Evans said in an email to KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Phoenix Marathon course details
The Phoenix Marathon actually consists of three races – a 26.2-mile marathon, a half-marathon and a 10K.
The race website includes an interactive map of the three routes, which largely overlap. It also has a list of suggested spots where spectators can cheer on the runners.
Furthermore, a map showing street closures can be found below or by clicking here.
About 9 miles of the course, from 43rd Avenue and Peoria Road all the way to 24th Street near Bethany Home Road, runs along the Arizona Canal.
With the tail end of the races heading through Papago Park, visitors to the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden should be prepared for traffic disruptions.
Additional information is available through an event hotline at 623-252-2485.
What time do the Phoenix marathon races begin?
The marathon kicks things off at 7 a.m., starting at Deer Valley Towne Center on 31st Avenue south of Beardsley Road in north Phoenix.
The half-marathon begins at 7:15 a.m. at the intersection of Central and Glendale avenues. Runners will head east along Glendale Avenue toward the Arizona Canal trail, where they will merge with the main course.
The 10K gets underway at 7:30 a.m. on the canal trail just east of 40th Street and Camelback Road.
The finish line for all three races is at Priest Drive and Van Buren Street outside Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
“Various road closures and vehicle traffic patterns will be implemented throughout the entirety of the course,” Evans said.
The downtown Tempe area also will have street closures for a special event this weekend, Saturday’s Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade. Read about it here.
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