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This story was originally published on April 20. It was updated on Friday, April 24, with road closure details from the Alexandria Police Department.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The PNC Alexandria Half returns to the streets of Old Town on Sunday, and city officials are warning residents and drivers to expect significant road closures starting Saturday morning and continuing through the race.
The Alexandria Police Department announced Friday that closures will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday on the 500 block of North Union Street and the 100-200 block of Pendleton Street, and will remain in place until about 1 p.m. Sunday.
Additional closures will take effect early Sunday. The 600-800 blocks of North Fairfax Street and the 100-300 blocks of Madison Street will close from 2:45 to 9:30 a.m., though the reopening of the 100 block of Madison may be delayed, police said. At 5:30 a.m., southbound traffic on Washington Street will be diverted northbound at Alfred Street. By 6 a.m., all intersections along the race route will be closed to cross traffic.
Roads will reopen as the last runner passes each segment, beginning around 8:30 a.m., with all route roadways expected to reopen by 11:40 a.m., according to the city.
The city said additional traffic impacts will include the closure of southbound Washington Street at Gibbon Street, which will remain open for detours. Officers will help manage traffic during breaks between runners, direct ramp traffic from Church Street to northbound Columbus Street and assist residents in the 1200 block of South Washington Street with flagging operations.
Not all affected streets are included in the announcement, and residents are encouraged to review the race map and plan travel accordingly, the city said. The course also extends beyond city limits along the George Washington Memorial Parkway before returning to Alexandria.
The half marathon and 5K will start at 7 a.m. at the intersection of Fairfax and Wythe streets, across from Oronoco Bay Park, according to the event's website. Both races finish on North Union Street at Oronoco Street, followed by a post-race festival at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St. The Kids Dash, open to children 12 and under, will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Union and King streets and end at the park.
Runners are asked to be in their assigned corrals, labeled A through E, by 6:45 a.m. The start area closes 10 minutes after the gun. The half marathon carries a 15-minute-per-mile time limit, or roughly 3 hours 30 minutes. Six aid stations are positioned along the half marathon course, with a separate station for 5K runners at mile 1.8. Thirteen pace teams will lead the half marathon with target times ranging from 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes.
Metro will not open early for the race, organizers said. The nearest station is King Street, on the Blue and Yellow lines. Complimentary parking will be available at 99 Canal Center Plaza beginning at 5 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. HB Parking garages on North Fairfax, Oronoco and North Lee streets will open at 6 a.m. for a flat $10 fee, and city-owned garages will be available for $5. A complimentary bike valet, run by Bike Valet DMV, will open at 6 a.m. at the north end of Oronoco Bay Park.
Dogs and strollers are not allowed on the half marathon course. Strollers are permitted in the 5K and will start in the final corral. Both are welcome as spectators and at the finish festival, with dogs required to be leashed.
The race, produced by Pacers Running and sponsored by PNC Bank, evolved last year from the PNC Parkway Classic, which began in 1984. The 2025 debut drew nearly 5,800 participants and raised more than $20,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Alexandria.
More race information is available at alexandriahalf.com.
