Why are streets closing in Miami? What to know about watching marathon — or avoiding it
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20th anniversary of the Miami Marathon
After a year of going virtual because of the pandemic, the Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon will be back for a 6 a.m. start on Sunday, Feb. 6, outside the FTX Arena.
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The 2022 Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon is back this weekend for its 20th run on the streets of downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
People can also cheer on runners again as they compete along the course and cross the finish line. That’s a welcome change from last year when COVID-19 concerns canceled the main event and sent runners to do their own thing in their own neighborhoods.
Lots of road closings are planned Sunday to accommodate the race. Metrorail is running earlier. And if you’re planning to cheer on a runner, you need to know a few things.
Here’s a guide to help:
When is the 2022 Miami Marathon?
The Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon is Sunday morning, Feb. 6. The opening ceremony is at 5:45 a.m. and the race starts at 6 a.m. (5:55 a.m. for challenged athletes)
Reminder: If you’re a runner, make sure to pick up your gear at the expo at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Friday and Saturday. Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. You’ll need a photo ID to get your gear.
What will the weather be like?
Mostly sunny, with a high in the upper 70s (think like 76 or 77 degrees) and a 20% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
Taking Metrorail to the race? Here’s the schedule
If you’d rather take Metrorail than drive into downtown Miami Sunday for the race, here’s what to know:
Metrorail trains will depart from Palmetto, Dadeland South and Miami International Airport stations starting at 4 a.m. The service will pick up people at all stops on the way to the Government Center Station in downtown Miami. For service hours, visit themiamimarathon.com
Once at Government Center station, take the free Metromover (service starts at 4 a.m.) and hop off the train at College/Bayside Station (start line access) or the Bayfront Park and College/Bayside station (finish line access), according to marathon organizers.
Metrorail fare is $2.25 per trip or $5.65 for a one-day Pass. There are different payment options available, including Easy Card and Easy Tickets (for people who aren’t frequent riders). You can also pay for your fare through the GO Miami-Dade app or other contactless options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Fitbit Pay.
Masks are required on the Metrorail and Metromover as part of a federal mask mandate for public transportation.
Tips:
▪ Miami-Dade Transit has reduced fare options for groups of people, including K-12 and college students and Medicare recipients. Check Miami-Dade’s Transit website for information.
▪ Parking is available at most Metrorail stations. Parking costs $4.50 if bought at a ticket vending machine, or $4.77 through the PayByPhone app. Marathon participants and spectators can park for free at Metrorail garages and surface lots Sunday, according to Miami-Dade Transit.
Road shutdowns
Streets will close from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout downtown Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove, as well as some lanes on the MacArthur, Venetian and Rickenbacker causeways.
Miami police released a map showing the race’s route to help you plan around it. Here are some of the places you should expect to see closures at or near besides the causeways:
Biscayne Boulevard, Brickell Avenue, North Miami Avenue, Alton Road, Ocean Drive, South Point Drive, Washington Avenue, Meridian Avenue, Dade Boulevard, South Miami Avenue, South Bayshore Drive, Tigertail Avenue and Grand Avenue.
Closures will also affect bus routes.
Police said they expect roads will start to reopen around 11 a.m. Sunday. Once the last runner crosses the finish line, roads will reopen except for Biscayne Boulevard’s counter-flow, which is expected to open around 5 p.m.
The marathon’s website also has some street closing estimates:
▪ Downtown/Brickell closed 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
▪ Eastbound on the MacArthur Causeway, 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.
▪ Miami Beach area, 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. If you’re planning to enter or exit Miami Beach between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., use the Julia Tuttle Causeway.
▪ Venetian Causeway, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
▪ Rickenbacker Causeway, 6:30 a.m. to noon
▪ Coconut Grove area, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you’re not attending the race, don’t travel to these areas (unless you really have to) until the roads reopen. Save yourself the frustration.
Where can I park?
Parking will be available at lots and garages throughout downtown Miami. Marathon organizers recommend parking in the garages at FTX Arena and Bayside Marketplace or in lots operated by Miami Parking Authority. For a list of parking options and prices, visit miamiparking.com.
Where can I cheer?
Planning to cheer on a friend or family member? You’ve got a few places to go to, and yes, you can take a sign:
▪ At the FTX Arena, spectator bleachers open at 6:30 a.m.
Baptist Health South Florida will have cheer zones spread across the course:
▪ Miami Beach — Washington and 17th Street
▪ Omni/Downtown area — Northeast 15th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. This zone is considered Mile 11 of the run and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (Instructions on how to get here can be found on the marathon’s website.)
▪ Brickell Medical Plaza — 2660 Brickell Ave.
▪ To see your runner cross the finish line, go to Bayfront Park. There are bleachers just south of the finish line and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. TIP: Get there early.
Will there be bathrooms? What about food and drinks?
Bathrooms are available at the finish line and at the Omni cheer zone (Mile 11). If you’re hungry or feeling parched, head to the finish area for food and drinks.
How do I know where my runner is?
There’s an app for that. It’s called Athlinks.
You can check your favorite runner’s progress using the app or online at athlinks.com.
Here’s how it works: Timing mats will be placed throughout the course at every 5K point. As runners pass the checkpoints, the app and website will record their locations. This will give you an idea of where your favorite runners are.
If using the website, select “Events,” type Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, click Feb. 6, 2022, and then look up your runner by name or bib number.
You can also ask your favorite runners what their expected pace per mile is to help you determine when you should head to a cheer zone or the finish line.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 11:06 AM.
