Map: Cherry Blossom races to shut down D.C. roads
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D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom races are this weekend — which means thousands of runners and road closures in parts of downtown and the surrounding areas.
Why it matters: You'll want to plan, whether you're going to the races — 5K on Saturday, the big 10 mile on Sunday — or avoiding traffic.
The big picture: Metro is opening two hours early at 5am on Sunday so people can get to the kickoff at 7:30am at the Washington Monument grounds.
- Here's a handy guide for getting to the races, with perks like pre-reserved parking through SpotOn and a bike valet.
Zoom in: Sunday road closures start at approximately 6am and run until noon. Some busy thoroughfares like Memorial Bridge, Hains Point, and parts of Rock Creek Parkway and Ohio Drive are off-limits.
- There are more limited road closures from 2am Friday up to 4:30pm on Saturday along and around Pennsylvania Avenue for the 5K race.
Between the lines: The races are post-peak this year — thanks, climate change — so racegoers won't contend with heavy cherry blossom crowds.
- You will be able to catch plenty of Stumpy action. D.C.'s "Short King" is the official mascot of the races this year.