Published Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 | 2 a.m.
Updated Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 | 12:15 p.m.
Runners in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon this weekend shouldn’t have to worry about being hit by cars, but that means motorists will have to worry about avoiding road closures.
This year the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and half Marathon will have a different course than previous years, plus it will be run at night. Motorists should watch for road closures in various locations Sunday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Most of the marathon is on Las Vegas Boulevard, between Russell Road and Ogden Avenue, and on Hacienda Avenue, between the Strip and Jones Boulevard.
In addition to the surface street closures, exits from Interstate 15 to eastbound Charleston Boulevard, Sahara Avenue, Tropicana Avenue, Flamingo Road and Sands Avenue will be closed from 3 p.m. to at least 10 p.m. The ramp from U.S. 95 to southbound Las Vegas Boulevard downtown will also be closed until at least 10 p.m.
The road closures are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Las Vegas Boulevard, but police could begin soft closures as early as 2 p.m. Roads will begin reopening as the marathon progresses, with the first openings on Las Vegas Boulevard downtown beginning about 9:30 p.m.
The start and finish lines are on Las Vegas Boulevard near Mandalay Bay, so Las Vegas Boulevard will be closed between Hacienda Road and Russell Road until 2 a.m.
The marathon’s website has a complete list of road closures as well as instructions on how to get to Strip hotels during the road closures.
Officials suggest spectators park at hotels and use the monorail, which is offering discounted tickets sold early, and the free tram that connects the Luxor, Excalibur and Mandalay Bay to move through the area.
Pedestrian bridges on the Strip will remain open during the race, but once roads are closed, pedestrians will not be allowed to cross the street at surface level.
The Regional Transportation Commission said many of its bus routes will be altered because of the road closures. There will be no bus service on Las Vegas Boulevard from 2:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
During those hours, the Deuce on the Strip will run on Paradise Road and Koval Lane and the Strip & Downtown Express will use Dean Martin Drive and Industrial Road to bypass the Strip.
Other impacted routes include 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 113, 119, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 208, the Centennial Express and the Westcliff Airport Express. More information on bus changes is available on the RTC website.
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