Downtown traffic is about to get a serious workout of its own. The Susan G. Komen Columbus Race for the Cure returns to the city center on Saturday for its 34th year, drawing thousands of runners, survivors, and supporters to North Bank Park. With a 5K and a one-mile family fun walk on the schedule, much of the Arena District will be tied up through the morning, and organizers warn that downtown commutes will feel the impact until around midday.
Most of the race-day action will be centered on North Bank Park. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m., the race site officially opens at 7:00 a.m., and packet pick-up will also be available at the park on Friday, according to Susan G. Komen. Survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer are invited to gather at Hope Village at 7:50 a.m. for a group photo, followed by the Pathway of Hope opening ceremony at 8:10 a.m.
Road closures and the course
If you are heading anywhere near the Arena District early Saturday, expect barricades. Several streets around North Bank Park and the surrounding area will be shut down to make room for the race route, according to 10TV. Full closures include W. Long St. from Hocking St. to Marconi Blvd.; W. Spring St. from West St. to Hocking St.; Neil Ave. from New Public Ln. to Long St.; Cozzins St. from Nationwide Blvd. to Spring St.; and Hanover St. from Nationwide Blvd. to Long St.
Those closures are slated to run from 5:00 a.m. until about 12:00 p.m., with additional rolling closures along parts of the course as runners and walkers move through.
Parking and arrival tips
Drivers who still choose to brave downtown will find a few breaks on parking prices. Designated lots and garages will offer event rates to ease access to the race area, including McConnell Garage, Front Street Garage, Neil Avenue Garage and the Fletcher Lot, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Organizers recommend arriving early and, if you can, using transit or rideshares to sidestep the heaviest congestion.
Start, finish and post-race plans
The 5K course clocks in at roughly 3.1 miles, with the starting line at the corner of West Spring Street and Neil Avenue and the finish at the base of McFerson Commons Park on West Spring Street, per Susan G. Komen. Hope Village programming runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., including the 7:50 a.m. group photo and the 8:10 a.m. Pathway of Hope ceremony.
Komen’s event page reports the race has raised $350,032.88 toward a $1,000,000 goal, and most on-site activity is expected to wind down by around 11:00 a.m.
Participate remotely and final notes
Not everyone has to head downtown to take part. Remote participants can log their miles from home, on a treadmill, at a local trail or around the neighborhood, and many teams will share virtual miles and photos in support of the cause, as noted by 10TV.
If you plan to drive, move vehicles off closed streets before 5:00 a.m. and double-check your usual garage access ahead of time so you do not get boxed in behind a barricade. For the full route map and the latest updates, check the official event page or local traffic advisories before heading downtown.
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