Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon will take over streets in Phoenix, Tempe
Jan 17, 2020, 10:50 AM
(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
PHOENIX – Thousands of runners and walkers will pound the pavement in parts of metro Phoenix this weekend, when the 2020 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon kicks into gear.
All the races – full and half marathons, a 10K and 5K – will start Sunday around 8 a.m.
The marathon, which will serve as a qualifier for this year’s U.S. Olympics, will get off to a running start from the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix and finish 26.2 miles away near Tempe Town Lake.
Last year, 1,456 runners finished the long race.
The half marathon will start from University Drive and College Avenue in Tempe, go through Phoenix and also finish near the Tempe lake.
The 10K will start from University Drive and College Avenue and finish near the lake, but will stay entirely in Tempe.
The 5K will start from Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway and end near the lake.
Marathon route (Google Maps)
Prerace activities were set to begin Friday at the Phoenix Convention Center, site of the race’s health and fitness expo. Hours were scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. opening day and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
After the race, one of the Valley’s favorite homegrown bands, Gin Blossoms, will perform at Tempe Beach Park.
Valley Metro services will feel the impact of the race. Light rail will shut down race day on Camelback Road between Seventh and Central avenues from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
There will still be service through race crossings in Tempe.
Bus routes will take a bit of a hit, as well. Lines 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17, 29, 30, 32, 41, 44, 48, 50, 56, 60, 62, 70, 72, 81, Scottsdale 68th Street/Camelback Road, Scottsdale Old Town Trolley, Orbit Earth, Orbit Mars, Orbit Mercury and Orbit Venus all will be affected.
The races will shut down several roads. The full list of closures in Phoenix is here.
Rio Salado Parkway will be closed in both directions all weekend between Ash and Mill avenues. The full list of Tempe closures, including freeway restrictions, is here.
