Decatur Police’s Jennifer Ross has sent along this helpful reminder with info on road closures this Sunday connected to the Publix Georgia Marathon…

Don’t forget the 2014 Publix GA Marathon is this Sunday, March 23, 2014.  There will be road closures and delays along the route as it weaves through the city between 7:15 am – 11:00 am.  The marathon enters Decatur on West College Avenue at Park Place near the East Lake Marta Station and exits the city in the 1100 block of Clairemont Avenue near the Decatur YMCA.  Keep in mind the marathon starts and ends in downtown Atlanta and travels through parts of DeKalb County as well.

Decatur Road Closures:

• West College Avenue from Park Place to East College Avenue and Commerce Drive
• East Ponce de Leon Avenue from Commerce Drive to Clairemont Avenue
• Clairemont Avenue from East/West Ponce de Leon Avenue to Commerce Drive

Decatur Lane Closures:

• Commerce Drive from East College Avenue to East Ponce de Leon Avenue
• Clairemont Avenue from Commerce Drive to North Decatur Road

There will be traffic delays around the course throughout the duration of the marathon. The runners have the right-of-way at all times and no traffic will be released if it could impede the runners.  Traffic will not be permitted to turn onto roads that are closed and will only be allowed to cross at certain points when doing so will not impede the runners.  Traffic will be permitted onto the roads with partial lane closures when doing so will not impede the runners.  Please understand that even if you are traveling on a road that is not part of the course but crosses the course or is near the course, you will experience delays.  Please check your schedules and the course maps and plan accordingly.

The Bright Side

We are about the halfway point for the runners and regularly receive feedback about how great it feels to come through Decatur and have so many people cheering.  Aside from the fixed cheering stations at West College Avenue & Mead Road, Fellini’s on Commerce Drive and in front of the Old Courthouse on East Ponce de Leon Avenue, it is not uncommon for residents to pop up along the route and cheer.  So if you have Sunday morning plans that require driving, plan on heading out earlier or later or plot an alternate route.  If you have no plans that require driving, it’s a great day to walk into downtown Decatur for errands, brunch and to cheer!

Photo courtesy of the Decatur Minute

The Publix Georgia Marathon hits the streets of Atlanta/Decatur this Sunday, so depending on whether you’re looking to cheer on runners or just avoid traffic, you’ve now been alerted/warned!  Based on this road closure timing list, it seems like most of the Decatur route will be closed from around 7a-11:30a.  Or there’bouts.

The city’s Decatur Minute blog is urging residents to turn out in droves wearing green (to celebrate St. Publix Day) so that Decatur can again be in the running for “best cheering section” prize money that will benefit Decatur Active Living programs.

Full map available for viewing here.