Road closures to know about this marathon weekend
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - More than 22,000 runners will be flooding the streets this weekend for the St. Jude Marathon.
It’s an event runners train for all year, and Memphians love to cheer on from the sidelines.
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon is the largest single-day fundraising event the research hospital has, and with over 22,000 runners and an expected 30,000 spectators attending the event, it’s also one of the city’s largest events.
The marathon spans across the city, hitting major landmarks from Beale Street to Overton Park. With that comes the need for major road closures and specific parking requirements.
Starting Friday at 6 a.m., no traffic or parking is allowed on Union Avenue from B.B. King Boulevard to Danny Thomas Boulevard. This is in effect until Saturday at 5 p.m.
B.B. King from G.E. Patterson Avenue to A.W. Willis Avenue will be closed Saturday from midnight until 5 p.m.
Danny Thomas from Union to A.W. Willis will also be closed on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On race day, 2nd Street, A.W. Willis, Shadyac Avenue, Front Street, Poplar Avenue, Beale Street, G.E. Patterson, Georgia Avenue, and Riverside Drive will all be impacted between 6:30 and 11:30 a.m.
To avoid closures, Colonel Willie Mathena, commander of MPD’s Traffic Division, encourages people to download the Waze app.
“If you log into the Waze app, it will direct you and give you alternate routes to avoid the street closures,” says Colonel Mathena.
If you have to drive near the marathon on Saturday, Colonel Mathena recommends adding a 30 to 45 minute grace period to your commute to ensure you get where you need to be on time.
It’s going to be an exhilarating weekend in Memphis, and as long as you stay aware of what roads will be open, traveling should be smooth.
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