Traffic changes due to Fitger’s 5K Run & Walk Saturday

On Saturday, runners will line up for what organizers say is the region’s premier spring race, The 34th annual Fitger’s 5K Run & Walk at the Fitger’s Complex at 600 E Superior Street in Duluth. Participants can choose to run or walk the course. It begins at the Fitger’s Brewery Complex and follows a 3.1-mile course through Downtown Duluth and along the shores of Lake Superior before returning to Fitger’s. The course is a USATF-certified, chip-timed course. Head down to cheer on the runners.

In-person registration is available Friday and Saturday at the Fitger’s Complex. Registration is open on Friday until 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The Duluth Police Department wants to remind residents and tourists that there will be some disruptions to traffic before and during the race. The Fitger’s 5K Foot Race will close portions of Superior Street, Michigan Street, and Harbor Drive.

Superior Street will be closed to traffic from 8th Ave E to 3rd Ave E from 8:15 a.m. until approximately 9:30 a.m. Local access will be maintained for the Sheraton Hotel garage (exiting westbound only), and for businesses between 8th Ave E and the Fitger’s Inn.

• Access in and out of the Fitger’s Parking Ramp will be allowed from 3rd Ave E until 8:45 a.m. when it will close for the race. The ramp will re-open to traffic (to/from the west only) as soon as all participants have reached Michigan St. (by 9:15 a.m.)
• Michigan St. between 4th Ave E and 5th Ave W will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 9:30 a.m.
• The northbound lanes of the 5th Ave W viaduct over I-35 will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 9:30 a.m., along with the northbound I-35 on-ramp.
• The southbound lanes of 5th Ave W will be coned for one lane of traffic in each direction. The I-35 northbound off-ramp and I-35 southbound on-ramp from 5th Ave W will remain open, but motorists should proceed slowly and with caution.
• DECC Area: Harbor Drive around the DECC will be closed to all traffic from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 9:45 a.m. Vehicles will be able to enter the DECC during the races via the North Gate on Railroad St or the East Gate on Harbor Dr coming from Railroad St., but must exit via the parking ramp onto Railroad St. until 9:45 a.m.
• Baywalk & Lakewalk: By approximately 9:45 a.m. all race participants are expected to be on the Baywalk and the paved sections of the Lakewalk, which they will take to the finish on the Lakewalk below Fitger’s. Pedestrians are asked to use the boardwalks, look out for race participants and follow volunteer instructions.

All roads will be opened to traffic as soon as participants are clear and Duluth Police says they are safe to open. There will be temporary “No Parking” signs on Michigan St., 3rd Ave E, and Superior Street. Violators will be tagged and towed.

Officials say runners and spectators are encouraged to park either in the Fitger’s Parking Ramp, which will remain accessible from 3rd Ave E until approximately 8:45 a.m., or along streets and avenues above the racecourse.

The Fitger’s 5K is a Young Athletes Foundation event, a program of Grandma’s Marathon.