Traffic delays predicted Saturday during The Woodlands Marathon

Runners take off at the start of The Woodlands Marathon in 2015. Runners will hit the streets of The Woodlands Township for the 2018 edition of The Woodlands Marathon, set for Saturday, March 3. Officials have issued warnings to residents and visitors that delays will occur. less Runners take off at the start of The Woodlands Marathon in 2015. Runners will hit the streets of The Woodlands Township for the 2018 edition of The Woodlands Marathon, set for Saturday, March 3. Officials have ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman Photo: Jason Fochtman Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Traffic delays predicted Saturday during The Woodlands Marathon 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Residents planning to be out and about in The Woodlands on Saturday should expect traffic delays due to the annual The Woodlands Marathon.

Race officials are recommending residents, drivers and other visitors to the township add anywhere from five minutes to more than an hour to travel plans for the March 3 event, depending on where residents are located. Officials with the marathon are also asking locals to plan their travel routes ahead of time and keep only to residential traffic throughout the duration of The Woodlands Marathon.

"We recommend looking at alternative routes," said Race Director Willie Fowlkes. "Nothing will be inaccessible, but there will be delays."

Those planning to travel into the center of the designated racecourse could face delays of 45 minutes to an hour and at least five-minute delays at intersections along the route, Fowlkes said.

Residents of neighborhoods along Flintridge Drive, Research Forest Drive and Lake Woodlands Drive should expect five-minute delays when leaving; residents of neighborhoods inside the racecourse along Flintridge Drive and Lake Woodlands Drive should expect delays, as well.

All eastbound lanes on Lake Woodlands Drive will be closed Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Kuykendahl to Lake Front Circle. Traffic on Lake Woodlands Drive will be in contra-flow pattern throughout the morning, with both east and westbound cars sharing the westbound lanes. One eastbound lane will open at 10 a.m.

Despite the expected congestion, Fowlkes said there is little push-back from the community at the annual event.

"Typically, the community overall is supportive of the event, but as with anything you're not going to make everyone happy," Fowlkes said.

More Information Traffic Issues for The Woodlands Marathon Only residential traffic is recommended through and around the racecourse during the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Travel routes that are OPEN: Northbound Kuykendahl 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Woodloch Forest 7 a.m. - 11: 30 a.m. FM 2978 - 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Interstate-45: 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Southbound Branch Crossing 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Woodloch Forest 7 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. FM 2978 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m Interstate-45 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Westbound Research Forest Drive 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Interstate-45 7am-130 p.m. Lake Woodlands Drive (westbound) 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Eastbound Highway 242 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Open Woodlands Parkway 7a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Open

The event, founded and hosted by The Woodlands Marathon Management, LLC in 2012, features a full- and half-marathon, a 5K and a kid's 2K Fun Run and walk-all scheduled for Saturday, March 3.

Two impact studies by the management company found the marathon contributes about $6 million to the economy of The Woodlands and the surrounding communities. Runners often run to raise funds for charities of their choice-the 7,000 runners in the 2018 race have raised just under $1 million for local and regional volunteer groups and charities, Fowlkes said.

The event's "Charity Challenge" prize purse contributes another $15,000 granted to the top fund-raisers in the event to disburse to charities of their choice.

In determining how best to plan the route, which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, Fowlkes said officials mapped out 26.2 qualifying miles along Woodlands roadways to ensure the minimum impact on traffic.

"We try to go above and beyond when determining the routes," Fowlkes said. "We're making sure traffic can move."

A full list of affected routes is scheduled to be posted on the Montgomery County Sheriff Office's Facebook and Twitter accounts on the day of the marathon.

More information can also be found on the race website: http://thewoodlandsmarathon.com/event-details/traffic-guide/