Road Closures, Increased Security for Sunday Rutgers Marathon

Rutgers University race organizers are getting ready for the Unite Half Marathon on Sunday, which is expected to bring street closures and increased security measures.

The Rutgers Unite Half-Marathon is an annual 13.1 mile marathon that draws thousands of runners and spectators to Rutgers University.

The race begins on Busch Campus in Piscataway and spans Livingston Campus, Buccleuch Park and finishes on College Avenue.

According to Rutgers University spokesman E.J. Miranda, the following road closures and access routes will be in effect throughout the weekend:

• Parking on Seminary Place closed at 4 a.m. today, Saturday, April 21. Seminary Place is expected to reopen at 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Parking on College Avenue will not be permitted after 4 a.m. Sunday, April 21.
• Hamilton Street, George Street and Easton Avenue will remain open during the marathon.
• All closed roads on the College Avenue campus will reopen at 1 p.m. Sunday.
• Access to Livingston Campus will be available until 10:30 a.m. via River Road to Cedar Lane to Road 2 to Joyce Kilmer Avenue. All of Livingston Campus will reopen around 10:30 a.m.
• Parking will be available in Lot 105
• Access to Busch Campus will be available via Route 18 south to Davidson Road until around 10:30 a.m. when Busch Campus will reopen. This access route will be closed between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to accommodate the initial cluster of runners.
• Parking will be available in lots located on Taylor Road and beyond.
• Allison Road will be closed, and no access will be available to Frelinghuysen Road.

Additionally, the Rutgers University police department has been working with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure adequate security measures are in place following the Boston Marathon bombings.

"RUPD has reached out to Rutgers Emergency Services and other security personnel, residence life staff, transportation department staff and others in the university whose responsibilities involve larger facilities, advising them to be particularly vigilant in the course of their duties," Miranda said.

On Friday, race organizers asked runners to support Boston in a post on the event Facebook page and assurred participants that their safety is being prioritized.

"Show your support for Boston on Sunday; wear purple (this is Boston's color), wear green (representing the Irish heritage of Boston and "stop the violence" campaign, wear red (Rah! for Red)," the message said. "Lastly, we want to assure each of you that CGI Racing and the Rutgers University Police Department are taking the necessary precautions with local, state and federal law enforcement to help ensure public safety during the half-marathon and 8K."