Carlsbad residents and visitors, brace yourselves for a weekend of detours and roadblocks as the Carlsbad 5000 race is set to take the streets by storm. The annual event, which has been sprinting through the heart of the city since 1986, is expected to attract a multitude of participants and onlookers from across the nation and beyond.

In a bid to fully capture the scenic coastlines that Carlsbad has to offer, the race organizers have decided to slightly alter the course this year. For those planning to travel through downtown or to the beach, it's recommended to steer clear of the affected zones – unless you aim to get caught up in the electrifying atmosphere of the World's Fastest 5K.

Commuters should prepare to reroute as the following streets will be inaccessible: Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Washington Street will be closed from Saturday at 5 a.m. to Sunday at 5 p.m. Additionally, several streets will be blocked off Sunday from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Carlsbad Village Drive from Washington Street to Garfield Street, Christiansen Way, and Tamarack Avenue up to Carlsbad Boulevard, as well as segments of Carlsbad Boulevard itself, according to the city's official announcement.

The City of Carlsbad Police Department, alongside a team of volunteers, are slated to assist with traffic control, lending a hand to get cars in or out of closed or partially closed areas, as safety allows. Alternate routes are available for those needing to traverse the race terrain during the event, so be sure to plan ahead if you need to make your way through Carlsbad this weekend.

For runners, spectators, and residents looking for more details on the closures or the race itself, the event’s website offers a wealth of information. You might want to bookmark it to stay updated in case there are any last-minute changes to race day plans.