Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon closures Saturday include NB 99

Early warning, since this one tends to sneak up unless you happen to be running in it: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon/Half-Marathon is next Saturday (June 22nd), and as usual, it brings road closures – most notably for our area, Northbound 99. According to the closure list on the marathon website, northbound 99 will be closed 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday from Hudson (on the East Marginal Way section) to Roy, north of downtown. Here’s a map. Full road info, from maps to parking notes, can be found here.

Michael Waldo June 17, 2013 (10:03 am)

Crazy! Why schedule this on the same weekend of the Fremont fair. I was going to go, but the traffic situation makes it hard.

WSB June 17, 2013 (10:12 am)

It’s difficult with so many events squeezing into Seattle’s relatively short summertime window – we’ve always thought it would be better to scatter some into August, too, especially after Seafair. Anyway, for anybody else facing the same dilemma, Saturday’s big option here at home is the Morgan Junction Community Festival:
.
https://westseattleblog.com/2013/06/update-performance-schedule-food-lineup-new-details-for-next-saturdays-morgan-junction-community-festival

runner June 17, 2013 (11:09 am)

As a runner, you don’t schedule a marathon during the warmer summer months. Seattle’s June gloom is good running weather.
According to the Competitor Group (race organizers), about half of the runners travel 100 miles or more to run this event. This 100 mile radius is important because traveling runners will typically seek lodging in town. I don’t know what the economic impact is, but it was $30 million for the inaugural run.

WSB June 17, 2013 (11:26 am)

Thanks, Runner! I hope a few might wander over here to spend a few of those dollars. – TR

CandrewB June 17, 2013 (11:27 am)

I was thinking the same thing Michael.

hope i don't go into labor Saturday June 17, 2013 (11:55 am)

just wish that maybe it could be routed on surface streets, or something, rather than 99 which is pretty important and gets closed often for other inspection and construction related work too.

WSB June 17, 2013 (11:59 am)

Eek! Good luck with the baby!

Bee June 17, 2013 (4:00 pm)

There are a number of runs throughout the year that end up impacting 99. The RnR is what was formally know as the Seafair marathon which is why it coincides with this time of year. Unlike construction it will just be closed for a portion of the day rather than the entire weekend. Previous point to point runs have presented logistical problems with getting runners to the start which is probably why they switched to a similar start location as the Seattle marathon.

connie June 20, 2013 (10:09 pm)

Why do runners like to run in the pollution of the city and not the fresh air of the country. don’t get it. and some of us just want to be able to get to our jobs, yes on a Saturday, to provide for ourselves and our families. Took me 1-1/2 hours to get down town last year from West Seattle to my job. I’m dreading Saturday!

Dennis June 21, 2013 (9:47 am)

If 20,000 people are running and a similar number supporting the event, I can find a way to adjust. Ever wonder why politics at the local and national level is deadlocked, just read these comments. So many different interests and no one wants to give an inch! As to why most big running events are held in metropolitan areas, just consider the logistics of getting all these folks to Moses Lake or even Mt. Vernon.

Tami Scheibach June 22, 2013 (10:23 am)

What’s the best way to get to Ballard by 1pm?

WSB June 22, 2013 (10:29 am)

Tami – I would go I-5 north to the U District (45th or 50th) and head west – check the map but one of those streets leads directly into Market in Ballard, after you go a ways west and then wind downhill.

Tami Scheibach June 22, 2013 (10:41 am)

Thank you. Will do. Good luck to all the runners!

datamuse June 22, 2013 (3:40 pm)

Btw, 4th Avenue, at least, was also closed, so it does impact surface streets as well. Definitely a day to go by bicycle if you had to go downtown at all (I train in the ID on Saturdays).
.
As to why it wouldn’t be held in a rural location, cities conveniently possess existing infrastructure (such as roads and parking) to accommodate a large number of runners. As well ask why they don’t hold the Boston Marathon in New Hampshire.

Sorry, comment time is over.