Last Saturday, Duluth's streets were filled not with the usual flow of traffic but with the determined strides of runners participating in the Duluth Women's Ten Mile Race. Kicking off at 8 a.m. from Hawks Ridge, the race carved a path down Seven Bridges Road, onwards to Occidental Boulevard, and finally spilled onto the scenic Lakewalk, hugging the lake's edge. As a turnout of local athletes and enthusiasts bounded across the cityscapes, their motion mandated a temporary but necessary reroute of the morning's usual quiet hum of vehicles.
It was a day to carefully plan to navigate around or simply join in the collective cheer. As participants paced through intersections, including those between 60th Avenue East and 32nd Avenue East, traffic came to a halt to ensure their safe passage. Roads expectedly were completely reopened by noon, once the final runner had crossed through the finish line near Lief Erickson Park. These temporary closures, including the full closure of London Road from 10th Avenue East to 12th Avenue East, urged drivers to promptly adjust their Saturday routines or to temporarily forsake their vehicular conveniences in favor of supporting the athletic event.
For the residents of the affected areas, a forewarning was given concerning parking restrictions, signposted to begin at 7 a.m. along London Road, stretching from 10th Avenue East to 12th Avenue East. The Duluth Police Department made it clear that vehicles found in these no-parking zones after the advised time would be ticketed and towed. Early preparation for this event was key, whether you were a runner, a local, or just passing through.
While the morning's activities might have caused some initial inconvenience for Saturday's early risers seeking to pass through Hawks Ridge from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m. or traverse Seven Bridges Road from Occidental Boulevard to Skyline Parkway during the same time frame, the event stood as a testament to Duluth's community spirit and commitment to healthy living. The Duluth Police Department urged all to "use caution and be alert during this event," signaling their support and echoing a community's collective responsibility to ensure not just the success of the race, but the well-being of every participant.
