Some Raleigh roads closed to parking, open to marathoners

On Wednesday, police began posting the "No Parking" signs that will keep cars off the race route from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The following areas will be posted:

The area around the start and finish lines – Davie Street between Salisbury and Fayetteville streets – will be closed to traffic beginning Saturday so that organizers can set up.  

Police will patrol the entire race course early Sunday and tow any cars left in the no parking zone.

Maj. Stacy Deans of the Raleigh Police Department advised all Raleigh residents to educate themselves on the race route and timing.

"We're going to do the very best we can in conjunction with Rock 'n' Roll organizers to help folks get through, but it will assist them greatly if they will plan ahead," he said.

Race participants and those who wish to join the festivities will have access to three parking decks in downtown Raleigh:

Blount Street Deck, at 314 S. Blount St. 

Moore Square Deck, at 233 S. Wilmington St. and

Wilmington Station Deck, at 115 S. Wilmington St.

Roads will be closed starting at 6 a.m. April 13 and city officials recommend that those seeking to park downtown be in place by that time.

Roads will open to traffic after runners have cleared the area. Race organizers said they expect all roads to be open after 4 p.m.

The marathon begins and ends in the heart of downtown Raleigh, and runners will wind their way east to Chavis Park, north through the Oakwood neighborhood before making a turn to the west. The course passes William Peace University and Cameron Village. Runners of the half marathon make the turn on the campus of North Carolina State University and head back to the start/finish line. Those who choose to run the full 26.2-mile marathon continue west on Hillsborough Street and past PNC Arena before circling back downtown.