(Okinawa Marathon-Kadena Air Base)
Those who reside on Kadena Air Base and residents of Okinawa City and Uruma City, should keep in mind that traffic restrictions will be in place for the 30th Okinawa Marathon, to be held Sunday, Feb. 16.
The areas to be affected include Awase Intersection, Chibana Intersection, Rycom Intersection and more. The time and length of restrictions will vary depending on location.
The race will start Sunday at the Okinawa Comprehensive Park in Hiyagon District of Okinawa City at 9 a.m. and conclude at the same venue at 3:15 p.m. Following previous installments, the running trail goes from the park onto Kadena Air Base through Gates 2 and 5, going on Kuter Blvd., Vincent Avenue and Schrieber Blvd. The area surrounded by these three roads can be accessed via the intersection of Beeson Avenue and Vincent Avenue. But Security Forces will regulate the traffic, and runners will have the priorities. Drivers may need to wait as long as 30 minutes to cross Vincent Avenue and access the area. Gates 2 and 5 will be closed from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Marathon officials suggest drivers should refrain from parking on the side of the road in and around the racecourse to root for runners. Those who are looking to bypass the off-base area surrounding the marathon course should use the Okinawa Expressway through Okinawa-South I.C.
For more info, check out Kadena Air Base’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/KadenaAirBase/) and the race’s brochure in English, which is available here (https://okinawa-marathon.com/).
Drive safe! And if you see runners, cheer them on!
