WASHINGTON — As runners take over the streets of downtown D.C. Saturday, tow trucks will be clearing the way ahead of them. The city will tow vehicles parked along the route, a policy that officials are calling the new normal when it comes to big events in the District.
D.C. Deputy Mayor Kevin Donohue announced the city’s new policy to clear the marathon race route entirely of vehicles. It’s starting with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington, D.C. Marathon, which winds its way around the District Saturday, March 10.
“There have been attacks in New York, but also in Europe, where individuals have used a gathering of people to attack. Other cities have adopted a similar policy. We’re not the first in the country,” Donohue said at a news conference.
Those vehicles not moved from the race route will begin being towed after midnight, in what Donohue called a “courtesy tow.”
“So it’s relocated typically around the corner to the nearest available open space,” he said.
The D.C. police confirm that marathon organizers alerted neighbors and those parked along the route throughout the week with fliers. Organizers put out a list of road closures here.
Below is a map of the course. Click for PDF.
There will also be metering points where police enforcing restrictions, along with the Department of Transportation.
