Plan Ahead For Marathon Road Closures

Runners in the Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon are scheduled to run through Atlanta Sunday morning beginning at 7.

The race course will travel through many of metro Atlanta’s historic areas including the Sweet Auburn District, Inman Park, Decatur, Druid Hills, Virginia-Highland and Midtown. Many roads will be closed or partially open in and around Midtown, Virginia-Highland and Poncey-Highland.

See here for a detailed course description and here’s the full list of road closures and traffic advisories:

North Avenue: On the west side of the course, North Avenue goes under the course on Marietta Street via an underpass, enabling drivers to go eastbound or westbound on North Avenue between Northside Drive and inside the loop. Until 11:00 a.m., eastbound traffic is detoured off North Avenue from Luckie Street to Fowler Street to North Avenue. Including this detour, there is always at least 1 eastbound and 1 westbound traffic lane on North Avenue between Northside Drive and Freedom Pkwy.

Ponce De Leon: There is always at least 1 eastbound and 1 westbound lane on Ponce De Leon between Peachtree Street and N. Highland Avenue and between N. Highland Avenue and Decatur Square. The intersection of Ponce De Leon at N Highland Avenue is closed during approximately 7:13 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. but reopens to traffic at approximately 9:30 a.m., after which Ponce is open to 2-way traffic from Peachtree St to Decatur Square.

Boulevard/Monroe Drive: During the race, Boulevard/Monroe Drive is open to traffic from Auburn Avenue to Park Drive. After Auburn Avenue reopens to traffic at approximately 8:30 a.m., Boulevard/Monroe Drive is open to traffic from south of I-20 to Park Dr. Monroe & Park Drive are closed to traffic during approximately 8:35 a.m-1:00 p.m.

North-South Streets: The main north-south corridors inside the loop of the course are:

Spring Street: (1-way southbound) – During the race, Spring St. is open to traffic from 5th St southbound to Baker St.

West Peachtree Street: (1-way northbound) – During the race, West Peachtree St is open to traffic from Peachtree St northbound to 5th St. After W. Peachtree & 5th reopens to traffic at approximately 10:10am, W. Peachtree is open from Peachtree St northbound to 12th St. West Peachtree & 12th St reopens to traffic at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Peachtree Street: – During the race, Peachtree St. is open to 2-way traffic from 5th St. to Marietta St. After Marietta St. & Peachtree St reopens at approximately 7:45am, Peachtree St is open to 2-way traffic from 5th St. through Downtown to Memorial Dr.

Juniper Street: (1-way southbound) - During the race, Juniper St/Courtland St. is open to traffic from 5th St. to Decatur St. After Marietta St. & Courtland St. reopens at approximately 7:45am, Juniper/Courtland St is open to southbound traffic from 5th St. through Downtown to Washington St.

Piedmont Ave: (1-way northbound) – Piedmont Ave from Decatur St. to North Ave is part of the course during approximately 6:45-8:05 a.m. After approximately 8:05 a.m, Piedmont Ave is open to northbound traffic from Capitol Ave to 10th St. Piedmont & 10th is closed to traffic during approximately 7:21-10:00 a.m. Piedmont & 12th is closed to traffic during approximately 8:45 a.m- 1:15 p.m.

Some streets will have Temporary Emergency No Parking the hours of 2 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Emergency No Parking zones include:

• Euclid Avenue from Washita Avenue to Moreland Avenue (both sides of the street)
• North Avenue between Freedom Pkwy and N. Highland Avenue (both sides of the street)
• N. Highland between North Avenue and Virginia Avenue (both sides of the street)
• Juniper Street between 10th Street and 5th Street (both sides of the street)
• Park Drive between Virginia Avenue and Piedmont Park (both sides of the street)

More info in the document attached above.

If you reside on a street on the course – The evening before the race, position your car in your driveway to face the street so you can drive forward into the street rather than back out. This will enable you to watch for gaps in the runners, watch the Police or race officials for directions, and exit your driveway more quickly when there is a gap.

Consider MARTA rail – If MARTA rail is convenient to the start point or end point of your race day travel, taking MARTA can be your fastest option. Park at any of the 23 MARTA rail stations that offer free daily parking (up to 24 hours) and ride MARTA to your destination. Note that MARTA bus routes may have temporary detours on race day due to the street closures.

Walk rather than drive across the course – It can be quicker and easier to walk across the course when there is a gap in the runners than to drive across the gap, particularly if only 1 lane of the street is closed to traffic. If the start point or end point of your race day travel is near the course, consider parking your car and crossing the course on foot when there is a gap in the runners.

Please contact info@georgiamarathon.com or 404-832-0786 for more information.