Plan a little extra time if you're out and about in D.C. this weekend. Many streets will be closed for the Rock 'n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon.
Over 25,000 runners will be participating in the two races on Saturday, and that means a ton of diverted traffic. Try using the Beltway to go around course locations and then heading back down to your destination if at all possible.
When are the races happening?
Both races are on Saturday, March 9. The race begins at 7 a.m., and road closures are expected on a rolling basis from 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. As the last runners flow through the course, roads will begin to open up throughout the afternoon.
Which areas are affected?
Pretty much all of D.C. will be affected at some point during the race, except for the northernmost areas. The starting line is on the Mall, then the racers go west past GW and then up the eastern part of Georgetown. From there, they go up through Dupont to the H Street corridor and back east all the way down through Anacostia into Southeast.
View the interactive full road closure map here.
How will adjacent roads be affected?
Roads will be flat-out closed and detours may or may not be clearly marked. There will be no parking along the marathon route, so it will be especially challenging to find parking near monuments, museums, and other major sites.
In addition to the thousands of runners, there will be hordes of spectators cheering them on. Tourists who don't know about the marathon may be wandering around aimlessly, so be careful driving!
For more information about the Rock 'n Roll Marathon, including detailed course maps and race information, visit their website.
Are you participating in the marathon or half marathon this year? Where are the spectator hot spots to avoid? Let us know in the comments below!