Traffic Alert: Annapolis Running Classic to Close Streets (ICYMI)

A heads up for Annapolis-area drivers that the fifth annual Annapolis Running Classic will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, and some city roads will be closed at times for the event.

More than 3,500 runners are expected to take part in the race. The total race time is estimated to be three and a half hours, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 10:30 a.m. Brief street closures are expected between the Main Street corridor and USNA Gate 1, starting at 7 a.m., city officials said.

All runners will begin at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and will come down Rowe Boulevard, around Church Circle, down Main Street, over to USNA Gate 1 and back up King George Street. The runners will turn left onto College Avenue to the turnaround on Rowe Boulevard, to a left on St. John’s Street, left onto College Avenue and back to King George St. The 10K runners will finish at the stadium.

The half marathon runners will continue by turning right to go over the Naval Academy Bridge into the county, returning over the bridge and back to the stadium.

Drivers should be prepared for delays and restricted access to Annapolis via MD-450 (Ritchie Hwy) from the Naval Academy Bridge to US-50 and along Winchester Rd in the same area. MD-450 (Ritchie Hwy) will be limited to one lane in both directions from the Naval Academy Bridge to US-50 interchange. The Naval Academy Bridge will be one lane, metered traffic limited to those vehicle accessing Gate 8 at the academy only. Vehicles must use alternate routes to access downtown Annapolis.

Runners should be in the neighborhoods listed below at these approximate times: Taylor Avenue, Cedar Park Road, Farragut Road, Rowe Blvd, Sachs Drive, Northwest Street, Church Circle (east side), Main Street, Randall Street from 7 to 8 a.m.

Downtown Annapolis including Main Street and the City Dock Area will be completely open to traffic by 8 a.m.

· King George Street, College Avenue, Bladen Street, St. John Street. from 7:15 to 8:20 a.m.

King George Street. from Gate 1 to College Avenue will be open by 8:20 a.m. and King George Street from College Avenue to Rt. 450 will be open by 10:20 a.m.

· Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue will have a detour around the stadium between 6:45-10:30 a.m.

The streets listed will open and close on a rolling basis. There will be nine parking spaces reserved on College Avenue for this event.

Taylor Avenue east of Rowe Boulevard will be closed to traffic until 10:30 a.m.

In Anne Arundel County:

· Route 450, Naval Academy Bridge - One lane of the bridge will be open at all times to USNA Gate 8.

· Ritchie Hwy, Boulter’s Way - Cars will be permitted to travel on Ritchie Highway at all times with cars being directed to northbound lanes.

For more information on the race, go to www.annapolisrunningclassic.com or contact Race Directors Craig Harrison at craig@annapolishalf.com and Lisa Fontaine at lisa@annapolishalf.com.