Baltimore Sets Road Closures for October 17 Running Festival

Baltimore officials are preparing extensive traffic and parking restrictions for the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The Baltimore City Department of Transportation expects about 15,000 runners to participate, with marathon and shorter races affecting streets throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

The event includes a 26.2-mile marathon, a half-marathon, a 10K and a 5K. According to the department, staggered road closures and traffic holds will create significant delays, while several other downtown events will add to congestion.

The 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. at Light and Pratt streets near McKeldin Square. Wheelchair athletes start the marathon at 7:55 a.m. at Paca and Camden streets, where the marathon and 10K begin at 8 a.m. The half-marathon starts at 9:30 a.m. at Pratt and Calvert streets, and all courses are scheduled to close at 3 p.m.

Road restrictions will begin before race day. The southbound left lane of Light Street, between Pratt and Conway streets, will close at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 15.

Pratt Street between Charles and Light streets will close at 9 p.m. Friday, October 16, and remain closed until the event clears late Saturday afternoon.

On October 17, Camden Street between Paca and Howard streets and Eutaw Street between Pratt and Camden streets are scheduled to close from 6 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Russell Street between Lee and Paca streets will close from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., while Key Highway between Light Street and Key Highway Extension will be restricted from 6:30 a.m. to noon.

Other affected areas include Conway Street between I-395 and Light Street, portions of Charles and Calvert streets, and roads through Druid Hill Park. Pratt Street between Howard and President streets is scheduled to remain closed until 6 p.m. Additional restrictions will affect Wyman Park Drive, Remington Avenue and nearby streets during the morning races.

The city advises drivers to avoid the race area during event hours whenever possible. Vehicles parked in violation of posted restrictions may be ticketed and towed, and motorists seeking information about towed vehicles can call 311. Police and Transportation Enforcement Officers will manage traffic crossings where conditions permit.

Public transportation will also experience changes. The Maryland Transit Administration's Metro Subway is expected to operate normally, with free parking available at stations from Owings Mills to Mondawmin. Local buses will face detours and delays, and passengers are advised to check route changes before traveling.

The Charm City Circulator's Orange, Purple and Banner routes will be suspended from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Green route will operate with detours, while the Cherry route will maintain its regular schedule south of Henrietta Street.

The Harbor Connector will operate two routes from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Inner Harbor Loop will serve Harborplace, Harbor East, Rusty Scupper, Fells Point and Locust Point, while the Outer Harbor Loop will connect Fells Point, Locust Point and Canton Waterfront Park.

Earlier October events will also affect Baltimore traffic. The city's transportation department scheduled closures for the Morgan State University Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 10, from approximately 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade runs from The Alameda and Chinquapin Parkway toward the university campus, with restrictions on East Cold Spring Lane and Hillen Road. Hillen Road will close again during the third quarter of the football game until the area clears at approximately 8 p.m.

Downtown streets around Power Plant Live! will be closed for the Baltimore Taco Festival from noon Friday, October 9, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 11. Market Place between Water and Lombard streets and part of Water Street will be affected by closures and parking restrictions.

At Patterson Park, Linwood Avenue between Eastern Avenue and East Pratt Street will close from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on October 10 and 11 for the Fiesta Baltimore Festival. Sunday's parade will also close Grundy Street between Gough and Fleet streets and Eastern Avenue between Haven Street and South Linwood Avenue from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Race for Our Kids 10K at the Maryland Zoo is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Sunday, October 11. Beechwood Drive between Safari Place and Swann Drive will close from approximately 5 a.m. to noon, with the race route inside Druid Hill Park also closed to traffic.

The Baltimore Farmers' Market will bring additional restrictions Sunday from approximately 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Holliday Street between East Pleasant and East Saratoga streets will close, Pleasant Street will close at Holliday Street, and the center lane of Hillen Street between Front Street and Fallsway will be restricted.