News Summary
This weekend, Baltimore will experience significant traffic disruptions as it hosts the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival and Baltimore Comic-Con. The Running Festival on October 18 is expected to attract over 14,000 runners, while Comic-Con will take place from October 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Attendees are urged to utilize public transportation due to expected lane and road closures throughout downtown Baltimore, with comprehensive travel guidance provided to ease navigation during this bustling weekend.
Baltimore will be bustling this weekend as it hosts the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival and Baltimore Comic-Con, causing significant traffic disruptions in the downtown area. The Baltimore Running Festival is scheduled for October 18, 2025, and is expected to draw over 14,000 runners. Meanwhile, Baltimore Comic-Con will take place October 17–19, 2025 at the Baltimore Convention Center located on West Pratt Street.
Due to the overlapping schedules of these two prominent events, there will be temporary lane and road closures that will impact traffic flow considerably. Baltimore Comic-Con organizers have collaborated with both the Running Festival and the City of Baltimore to prepare travel guidance to help attendees navigate the busy weekend. In an effort to mitigate traffic issues, attendees of Comic-Con are encouraged to utilize public transportation whenever feasible.
If visitors choose to drive to Comic-Con, they should consider pre-purchasing parking through services like Spot Hero. For those selecting mass transit options, Baltimore’s light rail system is recommended, with a stop at Pratt Street. Additionally, MTA’s Metro SubwayLink will operate from Owings Mills to Downtown Baltimore, providing convenient access. Attendees can use the Lexington Market and Metro Charles Center West stations, which are the closest to the Baltimore Convention Center.
The Baltimore Running Festival will commence at 8 a.m. at the intersection of Paca and Camden Streets, covering a distance of 26.2 miles in a marathon event. The festival will also feature various other races, including the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, a 5K, and a Pandora 10K, each starting at different times and locations throughout the day.
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) has outlined essential guidance concerning temporary road and lane closures, parking, and restrictions on commercial vehicles during this event-packed weekend. Residents and visitors can expect considerable challenges if driving within the race route, as there will be traffic stops for safety, resulting in expected delays. It is advisable for everyone travelling in the area to allow for extra travel time and consider alternate routes outside of the race footprint.
Suggested alternate routes include roadways located north of 33rd Street, south of McComas Street, west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and east of Highland Avenue. Those who find themselves within the race footprint are encouraged to travel before the races start or after they end in order to limit the time spent in traffic.
DOT has also developed an interactive map to assist residents and visitors in navigating their travel plans on race day. Paying careful attention to posted parking restrictions is essential, as vehicles that violate these restrictions may be ticketed and towed. For alternate public transport, the MTA Metro SubwayLink offers a valuable service as it will not be impacted by the marathon.
It’s important to note that the Charm City Circulator will not operate its Orange, Green, Purple, and Banner routes on race day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with services resuming from 4 p.m. to midnight. However, the Cherry route will maintain its regular service hours south of Henrietta Street.
Parking restrictions will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17, and will last until 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. A range of streets will be significantly impacted or closed in intervals starting at 6 a.m. on race day, each with a detailed schedule provided by the DOT. Additionally, commercial vehicle restrictions will be enforced on October 18 from 2 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Baltimore, allowing exceptions solely for taxis, buses, and mass transportation vehicles.
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Additional Resources
- Baltimore Fishbowl: Traffic Road Info for Baltimore Running Festival
- Wikipedia
- Baltimore Fishbowl: Weekend Events
- Google Search: Baltimore Running Festival
- Baltimore Sun: Things to Do in Baltimore
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baltimore
- CBS News: Heavy Impacts Expected
- Google News: Baltimore Comic-Con
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
