Heads up, Duluth fitness enthusiasts and Park Point beach-goers! The Park Point 5-Miler Race is hitting the pavement this Thursday, and it's bringing road closures with it. According to a traffic advisory released by the City of Duluth, the annual race is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Minnesota Avenue, near the cozy confines of Sky Harbor Airport. In what's become a summer tradition, runners will hoof it north to a turnaround near 23rd Street before sprinting back to the finish near the Park Point Beach House. And for those who prefer a more leisurely pace, a 2-mile walk will also be part of the festivities.
Potential traffic snarls are on the horizon, though. Minnesota Avenue will be off-limits to traffic between 23rd Street and the parking lots near the end of Park Point from 6 p.m. until roughly 9 p.m., folks. Indeed, this could mean a 90-minute holdup for motorists trying to leave or enter the Point starting at 6 p.m. So if you've got plans in the area, plan. In a document obtained from the City of Duluth's website, authorities also emphasized the need for drivers to stay vigilant for runners and follow directions from traffic officers stationed near 23rd Street and the Park Point area during these times.
While the road closures might cause a temporary headache for some, the race is a much-anticipated event that pulls the community together and promotes health and fitness. If you're planning to cheer on the participants or take part in the race, making travel arrangements in advance might save you from an unplanned pit stop.
