Metrorail will open two hours early this Sunday for the 2024 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run, WMATA said.
The rail system will open at 5 a.m. to help runners and spectators get to the race, which starts from the grounds of the Washington Monument.
The race is accessible from the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. The closest station is Smithsonian, but Federal Triangle is also nearby. Attendees can also catch a train on the Green or Yellow lines to L’Enfant Plaza, a short walk away.
Runners' corrals open at 6:45 a.m., according to the event's schedule.
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Road closures are expected, so taking Metro is your best options.
Some road closures have already been announced on Saturday for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K Run/Walk.
The early opening is made possible under new guidelines that were issued last year, WMATA said. The guidelines allow Metro to add additional service without charge during events expecting more than 10,000 attendees.
Metro said it's offering increased service throughout the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Maintenance and track work will not start until 10 p.m.
The Cherry Blossom 10-Miler has historically attracted more than 17,000 runners, according to WMATA. The event, also known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring,” is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year.
It's been making headlines for this year's mascot honoring Stumpy, the resilient little cherry tree that's blooming for the last time on the National Mall.
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