Rock ’n’ Roll runaround
When 25,000 runners take to the streets Sunday for the 2020 Humana Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona marathon, traffic and a whole lot more will be affected.
About 25,000 runners will make their way through the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe for the 2020 Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona marathon on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Those athletes will be joined along the route by thousands of volunteers and supporters. This is an Olympic year, and elite runners who participate in events like the Phoenix race may have hopes of qualifying for the games.
Getting all those people safely through the day will take cooperation. City officials will restrict or close numerous streets along the race routes for safety.
This guide, and a little patience, can help runners, spectators and motorists get through all the confusion.
Check out the course maps
The marathon starts at Second and Van Buren streets in downtown Phoenix. It heads north on Seventh Avenue, then east on Missouri Avenue and Camelback Road into Scottsdale. The race ends at Rio Salado Parkway and Ash Avenue near Tempe Beach Park.
The half marathon starts at Univer
sity Drive and College Avenue in Tempe and heads through north Tempe and south Scottsdale before ending at Tempe Beach Park. The 10K starts and ends at the same locations as the half marathon but takes a shorter route through Tempe.
See the course maps at www.runrocknroll.com/ en/events/arizona/theraces/courses. The maps show things such as the location of water stations and restrooms for runners and the stages where bands will play. Spectators can use the maps to scope out a few places to set up in case their first choice is too crowded.
Start times for Sunday’s races
The marathon, half marathon and 10K all start at 7:50 a.m. as groups of runners take off in waves from their respective start lines.
Runners will be grouped according to previous race times. The fastest go first while others are placed in groups that keep a similar pace.
If you’re coming out to see a specific runner, check with that person for their group’s start time. Chances are your runner isn’t starting at 7:50 unless they’re particularly speedy.
You can also download the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon app (for Apple and Android phones) to track your runner.
Find a spot to watch
Most spots along the course will be lined with supporters urging their runners on. The start and finish lines will fill up early, so give yourself plenty of lead time if you want to stake out a prime location there. Keep in mind that it will take time to find a parking spot and walk to your destination.
You might find lesscrowded viewing spots along Seventh Avenue, or as the race heads down Camelback Road or 48th Street. For the half marathon, you should be able to find spots along main roads such as McClintock Drive.
There is parking along these roads, but make sure you are in a legal spot.
Street closures and traffic detours
Road closures and traffic detours will ensure the safety of runners. Most will be between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Streets will reopen on a rolling basis as the final runners make their way through. To see all the closures and detours, go to www.runrocknroll.com and click on “Weekend Road Closure Grid.”
Take light rail to avoid traffic
To avoid traffic stress, consider taking Valley Metro light rail. It will run on a Sunday schedule, with trains coming every 20 minutes to connect full and half marathon runners to the start lines.
Additional trains will be used to meet the increased demand before and after the races. Valley Metro suggests buying the $4 one-day pass as all passengers, including marathon participants, are required to pay a fare for using the trains. Purchase passes at light-rail station vending machines or retail locations across the Valley.
Light-rail restrictions
There may be slight delays to allow safe passage for runners at Van Buren and Central Avenue and Van Buren and First Avenue.
Service will be suspended between on Camelback Road between Seventh and Central avenues from about 7:30 to 10 a.m.
Service will continue through race crossings in Tempe, but there may be slight delays to allow runners to pass.
Bus route restrictions
These bus routes will be affected by the race: 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.
Visit valleymetro.org to see how the routes are affected.
At the finish
If you want to congratulate a runner at the finish line, make your way to the designated family reunion area.
The site is organized alphabetically, so you can meet your runner according to the first letter of his or her last name.
By going to the family reunion area, you can avoid the chaos of trying to find your person among the 25,000 or so runners at the finish area.