The city of Miami is bracing for the impact of the 2026 Life Time Miami Marathon and Half this weekend, with significant road closures and traffic changes ahead. As the contestants lace up, the event is poised to draw thousands into the blend of competition and celebration, yet for drivers it promises a spread of disruptions throughout the cityscape.
From the build-up today with roads beginning to close at 10 a.m. for race prep, to the marathon's commencement on Sunday at 6 a.m., Miami's thoroughfares will transform to support the footrace. The marathon, featuring a 26.2-mile full marathon and a 13.1-mile half marathon, promises to lace through downtown Miami, across to Miami Beach, and loop through the Rickenbacker Causeway, Brickell, and Coconut Grove before concluding downtown, as reported by Local 10 News and the Miami Herald.
Motorists will need to readily adjust to the closures and detours, which are to start affecting areas such as Biscayne Boulevard, where northbound traffic will be significantly rerouted. As early as 10 a.m. today, Biscayne Boulevard between Southeast Second Street and Northeast Second Street will shift to a counterflow pattern. Further closures escalate throughout the weekend. Officials urge travelers to seek alternative routes and anticipate delays, with Miami police officers and outside agency personnel stationed at closure points to assist.
Heightening to the actual race day, the citywide road closures are scheduled to kick off beginning at 5 a.m. Sunday with re-openings staged around 2 p.m., excluding Biscayne Boulevard's counterflow, which is expected to reopen around 5 p.m., according to information from Local 10 News. Jogging over to the Miami Beach area, runners are to navigate the course between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., with roads reopening on a rolling basis as the tail end of participants clear through, detailed by the Miami Herald.
Spectators are encouraged to join in the fervor of the marathon at various cheer stations deployed along the course, which range from the Bright Foundation/HISPA Fest at mile 4.9 to the Coconut Grove Block Party at mile 20. For those not running, the Cafe Gianna’s patio at Gale Miami Downtown hotel is set to serve as a Cheer Hub from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, a small oasis for fans to observe the hustle, engage in raffles, and revel in the spirit of communal effort. Access to and from Miami Beach during the marathon hours will be redirected to the Julia Tuttle Causeway.
