Title
Resolution to Approve Street Closings for the Ann Arbor Marathon Running Event - Sunday, October 12, 2025
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve the closing of certain streets for the Ann Arbor Marathon Running Event on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 3:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
The applicant, Epic Races, LLC, is raising money through this event for select charities with the common mission to "E-Race the Stigma" surrounding mental health: Families Against Narcotics, Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation, Girls on the Run, Lost Voices, and Concert Music Outreach Collective.
The applicant has requested to close the following route between 3:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. and the streets will be reopened as soon as safely possible after participants have cleared the areas (many of these streets will occupy one lane only). The races start at 7:00 AM:
• Start on ASHLEY heading SOUTH
• LEFT on LIBERTY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• Take the path to the right of the Biological Sciences building and head straight to the CCRB bridge.
• Make your way across the bridge, along the path until you come to OBSERVATORY ST. TURN RIGHT on OBSERVATORY. LEFT on GEDDES
• SLIGHT RIGHT to stay on GEDDES
• DO NOT TURN LEFT INTO ARBORETUM - 10K ONLY
• LEFT on HURON PARKWAY
• LEFT on E. HURON RIVER DRIVE
• LOOP LEFT on DIXBORO (NOT OLD DIXBORO)
• LEFT turn (before the light at Geddes) to go down to the DIXBORO DAM
• LEFT on GALLUP PARK PATHWAY
• STAY ON GALLUP PARK PATHWAY FOR .64 miles, all the way to PARKER MILL
• STAY RIGHT at the fork in the path to continue under GEDDES ROAD
• STAY ON PATH straight through to DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS GEDDES ROAD and jump on sidewalk (stay on sidewalk)
• Sidewalk ends after Concordia College, continue onto GEDDES ROAD (stay left)
• CROSS HURON PARKWAY move to the sidewalk on the right side of FULLER RD.
• At traffic light, slight left to CROSS FULLER RD to FULLER CT
• LEFT to get back on FULLER RD.
• LEFT on E. MEDICAL CENTER DR.
• LEFT into MEDICAL CENTER PARKING LOT
• ENTER ARBORETUM
• RIGHT at SOS box by tables across from river
• UP the hill, bearing right (do not go on stairs)
• EXIT ARBORETUM on WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
• LEFT on OBSERVATORY
• RIGHT on SIDEWALK across CCRB BRIDGE
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• RIGHT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on LIBERTY
One month before the event, the applicant will hand-deliver information about the event to all impacted businesses and notify the media. One week before the event, the applicant will post informational signs along the route and send postcards to impacted residents along the Geddes. The City’s website will also include information about street closures for this event.
The applicant agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets, and will reimburse the City for all event expenses.
City staff met with the organizers for this event in 2024 as there were complaints received in 2023 regarding traffic back-ups and congestion, access to businesses, and, most importantly, the length of time that streets were closed. The organizer is asking for what amounts to a 10-hour street closure for major streets. This disruption was particularly felt by City Police, who bore the brunt of the complaints during the event. Recognizing that as the race nears its end the participants will be directed to sidewalks, which should allow the streets to open sooner, but because of the full length of time, the disruption is still significant. Additionally, the City Administrator received feedback in advance of the 2024 event decrying the route and disruption to the downtown community for such a great length of time. Aside from the Main Street Area Association (MSAA), there was not much negative feedback for 2024. The Applicant will work closely with MSAA to ensure barricades are replaced properly.
Staff
Prepared by: Debra Williams, Office Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has received a request to approve the closing of certain streets for the Ann Arbor Marathon Running Event on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 3:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.;
Whereas, The Applicant is requesting the City close the following route from 3:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. for the race and cleanup with streets to reopen as soon as safely possible after participants have cleared the areas:
• Start on ASHLEY heading SOUTH
• LEFT on LIBERTY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• Take the path to the right of the Biological Sciences building and head straight to the CCRB bridge.
• Make your way across the bridge, along the path until you come to OBSERVATORY ST. TURN RIGHT on OBSERVATORY. LEFT on GEDDES
• SLIGHT RIGHT to stay on GEDDES
• DO NOT TURN LEFT INTO ARBORETUM - 10K ONLY
• LEFT on HURON PARKWAY
• LEFT on E. HURON RIVER DRIVE
• LOOP LEFT on DIXBORO (NOT OLD DIXBORO)
• LEFT turn (before the light at Geddes) to go down to the DIXBORO DAM
• LEFT on GALLUP PARK PATHWAY
• STAY ON GALLUP PARK PATHWAY FOR .64 miles, all the way to PARKER MILL
• STAY RIGHT at the fork in the path to continue under GEDDES ROAD
• STAY ON PATH straight through to DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS GEDDES ROAD and jump on sidewalk (stay on sidewalk)
• Sidewalk ends after Concordia College, continue onto GEDDES ROAD (stay left)
• CROSS HURON PARKWAY move to the sidewalk on the right side of FULLER RD.
• At traffic light, slight left to CROSS FULLER RD to FULLER CT
• LEFT to get back on FULLER RD.
• LEFT on E. MEDICAL CENTER DR.
• LEFT into MEDICAL CENTER PARKING LOT
• ENTER ARBORETUM
• RIGHT at SOS box by tables across from river
• UP the hill, bearing right (do not go on stairs)
• EXIT ARBORETUM on WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
• LEFT on OBSERVATORY
• RIGHT on SIDEWALK across CCRB BRIDGE
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• RIGHT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on LIBERTY
Whereas, The street closures will be signed, barricaded and properly supervised;
Whereas, The Applicant agrees to obtain all necessary permits, to provide evidence of proper liability insurance as required, and to comply with all City regulations governing the use of the streets;
Whereas, The Applicant has agreed to pay the cost of City services associated with the staging of this event; and
Whereas, Notification of the street closings will be provided through the City’s website, GovDelivery and the applicant’s communications;
RESOLVED, That the Applicant will pay the cost of City services associated with the staging of this event; and
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the closing of the following route on Sunday, October 12, 2025 from 3:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with streets to reopen as soon as safely possible after participants have cleared the areas:
• Start on ASHLEY heading SOUTH
• LEFT on LIBERTY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• Take the path to the right of the Biological Sciences building and head straight to the CCRB bridge.
• Make your way across the bridge, along the path until you come to OBSERVATORY ST. TURN RIGHT on OBSERVATORY. LEFT on GEDDES
• SLIGHT RIGHT to stay on GEDDES
• DO NOT TURN LEFT INTO ARBORETUM - 10K ONLY
• LEFT on HURON PARKWAY
• LEFT on E. HURON RIVER DRIVE
• LOOP LEFT on DIXBORO (NOT OLD DIXBORO)
• LEFT turn (before the light at Geddes) to go down to the DIXBORO DAM
• LEFT on GALLUP PARK PATHWAY
• STAY ON GALLUP PARK PATHWAY FOR .64 miles, all the way to PARKER MILL
• STAY RIGHT at the fork in the path to continue under GEDDES ROAD
• STAY ON PATH straight through to DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS DIXBORO ROAD
• CROSS GEDDES ROAD and jump on sidewalk (stay on sidewalk)
• Sidewalk ends after Concordia College, continue onto GEDDES ROAD (stay left)
• CROSS HURON PARKWAY move to the sidewalk on the right side of FULLER RD.
• At traffic light, slight left to CROSS FULLER RD to FULLER CT
• LEFT to get back on FULLER RD.
• LEFT on E. MEDICAL CENTER DR.
• LEFT into MEDICAL CENTER PARKING LOT
• ENTER ARBORETUM
• RIGHT at SOS box by tables across from river
• UP the hill, bearing right (do not go on stairs)
• EXIT ARBORETUM on WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
• LEFT on OBSERVATORY
• RIGHT on SIDEWALK across CCRB BRIDGE
• Follow along and cross NORTH UNIVERSITY
• LEFT on PEDESTRIAN MALL (Sidewalk)
• RIGHT on SOUTH UNIVERSITY
• RIGHT on STATE
• LEFT on LIBERTY