Rain could soak runners in Sunday's Publix Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon and cause headaches for road workers putting the finishing touches on the new Ga. 400/I-85 interchange.

Here's what you need to know to navigate Atlanta on this first weekend of spring:

Pack an umbrella:

Saturday morning should be dry, but there's a 30 percent chance of rain later in the day, and that risk of rain goes up to 70 percent Sunday, according to Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz. Nitz said highs will be in the mid-70s Saturday and mid-60s Sunday, with morning lows in the 50s. Check the full weekend traffic report and track changes.

32,000 feet pounding the pavement:

More than 16,000 runners are expected for Sunday morning's Publix Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon, which begins at 7 a.m. The races start and finish in Centennial Olympic Park, with the course running through many intown neighborhoods, including the Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Little 5 Points and Poncey-Highland.

Fitness Expo:

The related Publix Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, which is free and open to the public, will be held Friday and Saturday at the Georgia World Congress Center.

And next door to the Congress Center:

The Hawks take on New Orleans Friday night at Philips Arena. Saturday night, Philips Arena hosts a concert by country superstar George Strait. Full list of weekend events.

Weekend construction roundup:

Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, the HOV and two adjacent lanes will be closed on I-85 southbound from just north of Clairmont Road to Ga. 400, and the HOV lane could remain closed through 5 a.m. Tuesday, as workers install a large overhead sign structure for the new Ga. 400/I-85 interchange, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

On the top-end Perimeter, three lanes of I-285 westbound will be closed nightly from New Northside Drive to Cobb Parkway, while in Douglas County, a couple of lanes in each direction on I-20 will be shut down nightly between Ga. 5 and Liberty Road.

But all those construction closings are weather-permitting, so there might not be any lanes closed. Click here for up-to-the-minute traffic reports all weekend.

About the Author

Keep Reading

An aerial image shows part of John A. White Park taken on Wednesday, July 4, 2025, where the City of Atlanta plans to build new trails as part of the citywide Trails ATL plan. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS