This Sunday, Jan. 14, the coastal town of Carlsbad is gearing up for a sea of runners and fitness enthusiasts as it hosts the Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon, and Surf Sun 5K – but locals should plan ahead as several roads will be on lockdown from the crack of dawn until the afternoon.
Carlsbad city officials announced a list of temporary no-go zones for vehicles from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. On race day, it'll be sneakers and water bottles instead of tires and exhaust on Marron Road between Monroe Street and Jefferson Street, Monroe Street from Marron Road to Carlsbad Village Drive, Jefferson Street up to Grand Avenue, and other stretches that are set to become the runners’ domain, according to the Carlsbad city website. A note for the early birds, though, Jefferson Street from Laguna Drive to Arbuckle Place will swing its doors open again at a fresh 8 a.m.
With a starting line at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, the race is expected to draw a staggering 8,000 participants alongside 10,000 cheerleaders, friends, and family to the pavement. Considering this turnout, it’s wise to wager on heavy traffic and hunt for parking at The Shoppes well before the starting pistol fires.
