DENVER — The annual Rock 'N' Roll Denver races — a 5K, 10K and half marathon — return to the city this weekend. While that means medals, finish lines and post-race beers for participants, it may bring headaches for those trying to get around downtown.
As more than 14,000 runners and walkers make their way around the city, several closures will be in place and RTD bus and rail services will be impacted.
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The 5K begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Civic Center Park. The race also ends in the park after heading south on Bannock Street, east on 11th Avenue, north on N. Marion Street and back west on W. 14th Avenue to the park.
The 5K course will affect RTD bus routes 0, 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 52 and 83L from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Both the 10K and the half marathon begin on Sunday at 7 a.m. at Civic Center Park. The runners will say together through most of the race before the 10K runners turn off toward their finish line and the half marathoners continue west to City Park.
RTD services will be affected from 5:30 a.m. until noon Sunday. Bus routes 0, 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 20, 24, 28, 32, 38, 43, 44, 48, 52, 83L and FF will likely be impacted. In addition, the 16th Street MallRide will stop running from 7 to 9 a.m. Normal service will resume afterwards. The D and H light rail trains will start and end at the Theatre District and Convention Center Station between 7 a.m. and noon. Bus shuttles will not be provided north of this station.
Below is the 10K course:
And this is the half marathon course:
Most of these closures will last from 6:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. They will reopen on a rolling basis as the last participant passes certain marks and course support staff move out.
Parking is not allowed along the race course, so make sure you move your car early or you may be ticketed and towed.
To learn more about alternate directions, visit the Rock 'N' Roll Denver website here or call 623-252-2485 or email community.cgi@ironman.com.