Campus routes will be heavily affected by the Illinois Marathon events beginning Thursday and running through Saturday.

Drivers should expect heavy traffic late Thursday afternoon and evening around the area of the Activities and Recreation Center, 201 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, where the race expo will be held. Those who are not attending the expo are encouraged to avoid First Street and Peabody Drive if possible, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

For those attending the expo, parking will be available in the lots adjacent to State Farm Center, 1800 S. First St., Champaign.

Broader street closures will begin Friday afternoon in advance of the evening 5K race through campus. Kirby Avenue between First and Fourth streets will close beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, with the full course closure taking place around 7 p.m. You can visit the Illinois Marathon website for a map of the 5K course and which streets will be closed to all traffic. The 5K race is expected to conclude around 9:30 p.m.

Course closures for the marathon itself and other races will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Closures will affect traffic throughout Champaign-Urbana, including the campus area. Drivers are strongly encouraged to use the “traffic beltway” route to travel through town on Saturday if needed. A map of the marathon route and the traffic beltway can be viewed on the Illinois Marathon website.

Many closures will continue into the afternoon on Saturday until all runners have passed.

The University of Illinois Police Department appreciates the cooperation of all campus community members and those in the greater Champaign-Urbana area in keeping the event safe. Thank you for making this a positive, beneficial event.