The Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon will be held this Saturday morning, and every year, despite endless notices, I hear from people who are shocked that their buses were delayed or that their route to work was disrupted.
It seems that this year, even more notice has been given, between signs posted on certain streets, to the use of the “Amber Alert” signs on the interstate. Some downtown employers have distributed this information to their employees. With the canopies now taking over Bushnell Park, it’s hard to not know that something big is going on this weekend.
According to the marathon’s website, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pearl Street, Ford Street, State Street, and the Founders Bridge will be closed to traffic. Asylum Street, Farmington Avenue, and South Whitney will be closed from 7:30-11:30 in the morning. Capitol Avenue and Broad Street will be closed from 7:30-9 a.m. and from 7:30-9:30 a.m., all of the following will be closed: Sheldon Street, Van Dyke Avenue, Weston Street, Rev. Moody Overpass, Market Street, Prospect Street, and Park Street.
If you plan to move about in those areas during Saturday morning and early afternoon, the easiest way to go about that is on foot or bicycle.
For those who want to check out the runners as they cross the finish line, Bike Walk CT will be providing secure, valet bicycle parking in Bushnell Park from six in the morning until one in the afternoon. There are bleachers set up near the Soliders & Sailors Memorial Arch.