Runners from around the area are in downtown Rochester Sunday to run participate in the MVP Health Care Rochester Marathon.
This is the second year of a new course, that has seen improved results, according to Ellen Brenner, owner of Fleet Feet Sports and Yellow Jacket Racing. She said they changed the route not only to include a more scenic view of Rochester, but also for safety reasons.
"Getting to people on the course was a little bit tricky because it was on the canal path for a great deal. So should something have happened on the course on the canal path, getting vehicles out there or emergency help out there was more cumbersome. So we wanted to have a course that had easier access for safety purposes."
Brenner also helps produce the event, and said last year they saw positive changes with the new course.
"This course is unbelievably scenic. You're taking in 4 bridges, 2 to 3 falls. You're taking in the river, various park systems. Various neighborhoods that come out and support the runners and walkers. So we saw a huge change just in the dynamic of the course, and the personality and energy of the course by changing it."
Runners can participate in half, full and relay marathons. The half marathon runs once around this loop, and a full marathon is twice around.
"Spectators can see you and your family and friends can see you more often, where as before, they couldn't really see you as much. Now they can see you 4,5,6 times during the event. And that's really neat for people participating."
The race began Sunday morning at 730am at Maplewood Park. Streets will be closed during certain timeframes, but Traffic will be able to cross through the closed areas.
Roads will be re-opened as the final runner passes each checkpoint.
Expect closures in the north east section of the city, including parts of Maplewood Drive, Lake Avenue, Plymouth Avenue and State Street.
There will be no southbound travel on Thomas Avenue in Irondequoit from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.as the final runner passes each checkpoint.