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There will be a different type of traffic this weekend that motorists will need to be aware of in Austin.
Runners and walkers from across the country will flood some of Austin’s busiest roadways Sunday for the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. The annual event brings thousands of people to the city and prompts temporary road closures along various routes.
The races begin at 7 a.m. Sunday and start and end downtown along Congress Avenue. If you’re not participating in or watching the races, the event’s organizers recommend planning ahead to avoid unnecessary detours and traffic jams.
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But don’t stress; we’ve got you covered. Here’s all you need to know about road closures leading up to and during the races to keep your routes as clear as can be:
When do Austin Marathon road closures begin?
The first road closures began Friday on a few parts of Congress Avenue and East Ninth Street downtown.
The city will close more roads Saturday to prepare for the races. Congress Avenue will be closed between Cesar Chavez Street and 11th Street, though Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and 11th Streets are scheduled to remain open Saturday.
Most of the road closures will be Sunday, which is race day. Early closures are scheduled to begin at 2 a.m., and race route closures will begin around 6 a.m. Major intersections will remain open until runners arrive.
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Which roads will be closed for Austin Marathon, and when?
A full list of road closures and times is listed in the marathon’s traffic guide:
Notable road closures include parts of Congress and South Congress Avenues, Stephen F. Austin Drive, Lake Austin Boulevard and Guadalupe Street. Most of the affected streets are scheduled to reopen before noon.
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What can I do to prepare for Austin Marathon road closures?
The marathon’s organizers released some tips they say will help alleviate some stress and traffic congestion around the event Sunday. They include:
- Assume you can’t cross the course: Crossing the marathon course with a vehicle is extremely difficult and should be avoided. The Austin Police Department will only allow crossings at major intersections when there are no runners present.
- Park strategically: If your trip starts or ends near a section of the course, it might be best to park on the more accessible side of the course and walk. For example, if you live on southbound Chicon Street, park on the northbound side of the street so your vehicle is on the side of the street that is open to vehicle traffic.
- Use MoPac Boulevard, Lamar Boulevard and Interstate 35: Those roads are unobstructed for northbound and southbound travel.
- Use Ben White Boulevard (Hwy 290) and RM 2222 (Koenig Lane): Those roads are unobstructed for eastbound and westbound travel. Also, 45th Street is open westbound between Red River and Guadalupe Streets.
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