Traffic around uptown Saturday will be terrible. Plan ahead or expect to sit.

The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon will block multiple uptown streets on Saturday morning, so traffic delays are going to be widespread in both uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. The congestion will last until early afternoon.

Runners will rally at Romare Bearden Park in uptown and event organizers expect 5,000 participants. The marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. However, roadside parking along the route will begin filling up as early as 6 a.m. as runners prepare for the race.

The events include more than just a marathon. Runners can also participate in a half marathon, relay, 5K or kid’s1-mile events. Each run is a different route. Roads and intersections will reopen as the runners move along the route throughout the day, with South Mint Street the last to reopen. That’s where the finish line will be.

Maps show major roads experiencing closures include: South Graham, South Mint, Tryon, College, Caldwell, Stonewall, Morehead, 4th, 5th, 7th, West Boulevard, Randolph Road, Central Avenue. Parts of the race will also involve The Plaza, Pecan Avenue and Queens and Kings drives.

Marathon running will begin at South Graham Street at 7:30 a.m. and head along the streets of Dilworth, Myers Park, South End, Third Ward, Belmont, NoDa, Plaza-Midwood, Chantilly, Elizabeth, and Second Ward neighborhoods.

The race will finish on South Mint Street at BB&T Ballpark, with the longest of the events running 26.2 miles. Visit RunCharlotte.com for more information about individual streets closing in your area.

This story was originally published November 10, 2017 at 10:08 AM with the headline "Traffic around uptown Saturday will be terrible. Plan ahead or expect to sit.."