Olympic marathon trials in Atlanta: Roads that will be closed for the race

On the afternoon of Feb. 29, hundreds of runners will loop their way through Atlanta, with hopes of representing the United States in the marathon during the Olympics in Tokyo.

The top three male and top three female finishers in the Olympic marathon trials will be bound for the summer Games.

With the field of some of the world's most elite runners descending on the city, Atlantans have the chance to see the event up close — either by volunteering or partaking in festivities around the course.

However, if you prefer to steer clear of the action (and traffic), here's what you need to know about road closures on race day.

The race will start around noon on Feb. 29, with the men leaving the start line around 12:03 p.m. and the women slated to begin around 12:13 p.m.

The athletes will start and finish the race downtown in Centennial Olympic Park. After leaving the start line, the course heads north, looping through Midtown. Eventually, the athletes will make their way down near Summerhill, before heading back to downtown.

Roads around the downtown start and finish area will be closed beginning at 7 a.m.

7 a.m.-4 p.m.:

• Marietta Street from Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard to Peachtree Street
• Andrew Young International Boulevard from Centennial Olympic Park Drive to Marietta Street

9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: 

Peachtree Street from 7th Street to 14th Street

11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.:

• Forsyth Street from Marietta Street to Peachtree Street
• Walton Street from Peachtree Street to Forsyth Street
• Peachtree Street from Forsyth to South Rhodes Center/Peachtree Circle
• Ralph McGill Boulevard from Peachtree Street to Piedmont Road
• Piedmont Avenue to Baker-Highland Avenue
• Highland Avenue from Piedmont Avenue to Jackson Boulevard
• Jackson Boulevard  from Highland Avenue to Edgewood Avenue
• Edgewood Avenue from Jackson Street to Marietta Street
• I-85/75 northbound exits 248B and 249B
• I-20 westbound exit 58A

1-3:30 p.m.:

• Piedmont Avenue to Capitol Avenue
• Capitol Avenue SE from Piedmont Road to Fulton Street
• Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW to Centennial Olympic Park Drive
• Centennial Olympic Park Drive from Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW to Andrew Young International Boulevard