The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon is set to draw more than 10,000 participants to the streets of Downtown Columbus. Slated today, this massive event includes a half marathon of 13.1 miles, a quarter marathon of 6.55 miles, and a 3.1-mile race—the Columbus Promise 5K. Residents and visitors should prepare for a series of road closures and rerouted bus lines as the race unfolds from early morning hours into the afternoon.
According to NBC4i, starting at 8 a.m., the race will prompt several road closures, with High Street from Broad Street to Main Street, Rich Street from 3rd Street to Wall Street, and Town Street from Wall Street to 3rd Street being shut off to vehicle traffic. Additionally, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is expected to reroute multiple bus lines, including Lines 1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 52, 61, 102, and CMAX, starting Friday, which will cause "significant" delays. COTA routes will be subject to change depending on on-the-ground conditions.
The impacts on the city's transportation network are confirmed by a Dispatch report, which notes that road closures began in the evening before the marathon. As downtown Columbus anticipates a high-volume weekend, residents may want to plan to avoid potential delays. All race events will kick off from South High Street, at the edge of the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons.
For drivers navigating the downtown area, a list of street closures has been detailed by ABC 6, including High Street from Broad Street to Main Street, and E. Town Street from S. Third St. to Damian Street. The road closures will be enforced from Friday at 5 p.m. until 2 p.m. today. Rolling road closures will follow the progress of runners throughout the race, with the expectation that normal traffic flows will resume by mid-afternoon.
The latest bus information reroutes and road status can be found on the Central Ohio Transit Authority's website or by contacting them directly at 614-228-1776. For those intending to join the festivities or simply pass through, staying informed on the evolving traffic conditions will be crucial to navigating the Columbus race day.
