Baltimore City has warned drivers to expect a long day of road closures, parking restrictions and commercial vehicle limits as the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival takes over downtown Baltimore on Saturday, Oct. 17. The event is expected to draw about 15,000 runners, with traffic changes rolling out from Friday evening into Saturday afternoon.
The advisory is designed to give motorists, residents and businesses a clear picture of what to expect around the Baltimore Running Festival, including the 26.2-mile marathon and the other races that will bring a steady stream of athletes into the city center. Officials also said several Disney on Ice shows at CFG Bank Arena will add to downtown traffic.
When the restrictions begin
Parking restrictions will go into effect at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, while commercial vehicle restrictions in downtown Baltimore begin at 2 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Those commercial vehicle restrictions will remain in place through 4 p.m. Saturday, while parking restrictions continue through 6 p.m.
Throughout the day, phased traffic modifications, road closures and possible additional restrictions will affect race routes. Baltimore City said drivers should plan ahead and expect delays across downtown Baltimore and surrounding streets tied to the festival.
Start time and race-day impact
The marathon is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Paca and Camden Streets. With the race unfolding across the morning and into the afternoon, the city says the impact on traffic will be spread across much of the day rather than limited to a single window.
That means the key issue for anyone travelling through the area is not just the start of the marathon, but the build-up and aftermath as roads are adjusted for runners, support crews and spectators. For those heading into downtown Baltimore on Oct. 17, the safest approach is to allow extra time and expect changing conditions near the course.
What motorists need to know
The main message from Baltimore City is straightforward: expect disruption, especially in downtown Baltimore. The combination of the Baltimore Running Festival, road closures, parking limits and added activity around CFG Bank Arena is likely to make the area busier than usual for most of Saturday.
With 15,000 runners set to take part, the festival is one of the city’s bigger traffic-management days of the year. Anyone driving, delivering or parking downtown should check routes carefully and be prepared for restrictions lasting well into the evening.
