Mike Brudenell

Detroit Free Press

A word of friendly advice if you are running in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon, Saturday’s 5K or kids fun run or supporting someone who is: Get downtown early on both days. The earlier, the better.

Organizers say that’s the best bet to avoid road closings and other traffic detours/restrictions associated with both events and Sunday’s Lions-Rams game at Ford Field starting at 1 p.m.

The marathon and international half marathon will start at 7 a.m. Sunday and the U.S. half marathon will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Multiple road closures into downtown over the weekend will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. Saturday and from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday.

“Arrive an hour earlier and have a little patience,” suggest marathon organizers. “Perhaps park at the MGM Grand Casino, or go to Cobo Center, a café, or just sit in your car and stay warm.”

The downtown People Mover will be in full operation Friday to Saturday evening and will open for marathoners at 5 a.m. Sunday. The closest stops to the start-finish line are the Fort/Cass station and Cobo Center. The Fort/Cass and Michigan Avenue stations will close from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The People Mover cost is 75 cents a ride.

The Ambassador Bridge will have restricted traffic from 5:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday.

The Detroit-Windsor tunnel will close between 6:45 a.m. and 10 a.m., while the Lodge Freeway will begin to close southbound around 3 a.m. at the I-75 interchange.

The Detroit-Windsor tunnel bus will operate Sunday from the Windsor Bus Terminal for marathoners at 5:30 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. and will drop riders off at Cobo Center and make return trips from Cobo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Appropriate travel documentation for crossing international border is required.

On Saturday, Chene Park will be open free to 5K and kids fun run competitors.

To make it easier for competitors and spectators, organizers strongly recommend parking outside the race course for smoother access and egress.

Remember, the Lodge southbound will be closed Sunday, or at least city workers will start operations, from 4 a.m. south of I-75, meaning no exit at Bagley, Howard or Jefferson.

If you are looking at parking at the MGM Grand, organizers recommend getting off the Lodge at Grand River, again as early as possible.

Here’s a summary of the key road closings over the weekend:

Saturday

■Closed 8 a.m. to midnight West Fort Street from Griswold to Third Street (cross streets open except as noted).

■Closed 8 a.m. to midnight First Street from West Congress Street to West Lafayette Street.

■Closed 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. East Jefferson Avenue from Rivard Street to Mt. Elliott Street.

■Closed 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Atwater Street from Riopelle to Joseph Campau.

■Closed 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. St. Aubin from East Jefferson Avenue to Atwater Street.

Sunday

■Closed from midnight to 2 a.m. West Fort Street from Griswold Street to First Street (cross streets open except as noted).

■Closed from midnight to 2 a.m. First Street from West Congress Street to West Lafayette Boulevard.

■Closed 2 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Fort Street from Griswold Street to Second Street (cross streets closed).

■Local traffic only 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. West Fort Street from Clark Street to West Grand Blvd.

■Closed 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. I-75 (northbound) “Bridge to Canada” Exit 47B (detours-traffic control).

■Closed 4 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. southbound Lodge, south of I-75 exit.

■Closed 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. southbound I-375 to Jefferson Avenue east exit.

■Closed from 6:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

■Closed 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Belle Isle State Park.

■Restricted 5:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Ambassador Bridge.

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