Marathon, Soccer Game To Cause Traffic Impacts In Hartford Area

Getting around the greater Hartford area Saturday morning will be tricky at best, with two major international sporting events taking place the same day.

At 8 a.m., the Hartford Marathon — and other accompanying road races — steps off its 26.2-mile course through not just Connecticut's capital city, but the towns of West Hartford, East Hartford and South Windsor.

After starting near the state capitol in Hartford, the course winds its way through the city, as well as those three neighboring towns, ending up back near the famous Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park.

As a result, the Hartford Police Department has announced several street closures in the city, with the other towns also announcing traffic impacts, albeit on a smaller scale compared to Hartford.

Generally, motorists should just be aware of the event and any traffic delays and, simply, practice patience.

Then, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, the U.S. men's national soccer team will play a much-anticipated friendly against multiple World Cup champion Germany.

The game is at 3 p.m., but the parking lot will open at 10 a.m. with a day's worth of activities anticipated at the home of University of Connecticut football — wth a near-sellout expected.

Traffic is expected to be heavy going into the stadium, located at 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, a situation complicated by marathon activities earlier in the morning.

Stadium officials are urging travelers to the game to be wary of marathon traffic and get to the game early, by noon, at the latest.

For more information on the Hartford Marathon, including traffic information and event times, click on this link.

For more information on the USA-Germany soccer match in East Hartford, click on this link.