Cambridge residents and visitors, prepare to adjust your weekend travel plans. The city is hosting its 2nd Annual 5K and 8th Annual Cambridge Half Marathon on November 1 and 2, bringing with it a slew of road closures throughout various neighborhoods. The Cambridge Police Department will be overseeing traffic details along the course to manage the expected disruptions.
The races, both starting and ending at CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, are set to significantly impact traffic, especially in areas including Kendall Square, Cambridgeport, and along the Charles River. The 5K kicks off the weekend on Saturday, prompting road closures from 9 a.m. to noon, with the main route along Land Boulevard and Memorial Drive to be briefly shut down to accommodate the runners. On Sunday, the half marathon will see an even earlier start, with streets closing as early as 5 a.m. and only beginning to reopen at noon. Runners will navigate a course through several more neighborhoods, including Riverside and West Cambridge, with bridge closures on Western Avenue, River Street, and Anderson Memorial adding to the day's roadblocks.
According to the official announcement by the City of Cambridge, areas near CambridgeSide between First Street and Second Street will be closed during both events. Specific streets like Otis Street, Thorndike Street, and Spring Street, among others, will be inaccessible to vehicles, which is critical info for residents living or businesses operating in these areas.
