Riga Marathon Travel Guide: Major Road Closures and Bridge Restrictions
The Rimi Riga Marathon, one of Northern Europe’s premier running events, is set to transform the Latvian capital into a massive athletic arena this weekend. With over 43,000 participants representing 110 countries, the event is a significant logistical undertaking that necessitates extensive traffic restrictions. For residents, expats, and international visitors, navigating the city between Friday evening and Monday morning will require careful planning and an understanding of the phased street closures.
The Waterfront and Old Town Hub
The epicenter of the marathon is the 11. novembra krastmala (November 11th Embankment). This critical artery along the Daugava River will be entirely closed to vehicle traffic from Friday, May 15, at 20:00 until Monday, May 18, at 06:00. This closure includes the parallel street on the Old Town side between Poļu gāte and Jauniela.
To maintain some level of accessibility within the historic Old Town (Vecrīga), local authorities will implement two-way traffic flow on several narrow streets that are usually one-way. From Friday evening through Monday morning, Jauniela, Krāmu iela, and Pils iela (between Dome Square and Mazā Miesnieku iela) will operate with two-way traffic. On Sunday specifically, Kaļķu iela and Šķūņu iela will also see temporary two-way traffic adjustments to allow essential access.
Sunday’s Peak Disruptions and Bridge Closures
While Saturday features shorter races like the “DPD Mile”—causing temporary closures near the National Museum of Art and the Freedom Monument—Sunday, May 17, remains the most challenging day for travel. The full marathon, half-marathon, and 10km/6km races will see the city divided into four distinct zones with varying reopening times.
Crossing the Daugava River will be particularly complex. Traffic on the bridges will be restricted or closed at various intervals throughout Sunday. The Salu Bridge loop (Zone 1) is expected to reopen earliest, while the central city streets (Zone 4) will remain closed the longest, potentially until 18:00.
Key western districts including Daugavgrīvas, Dzegužu, and Slokas iela (Zone 2) will be restricted primarily in the morning hours, from 06:30 to 11:00. Meanwhile, the northern route toward Mežaparks and the end of Brīvības iela (Zone 3) will be unavailable until approximately 13:00. Drivers are urged to use the Waze navigation app, which has been integrated with the official race maps to provide real-time updates on street openings as soon as cleaning crews finish their work.
Parking and Micromobility Restrictions
Visitors should be aware that parking is strictly prohibited along the race route. Any vehicles left in restricted areas, including both sides of the 11. novembra krastmala and parts of Kaļķu iela, will be towed to the nearest legal parking spot at the owner’s expense. These parking bans begin as early as Friday afternoon.
Furthermore, Riga’s popular micromobility options—such as e-scooters and rental bicycles—will face their own restrictions. Parking zones for these devices will be closed on the embankment and along specific sections of the city’s cycling infrastructure to ensure the safety of the runners and spectators.
Navigating the City During the Race
For those needing to traverse the city, the most reliable method remains the use of designated crossing points where police and race marshals will allow vehicles through during gaps in the race. However, public transport users should expect significant delays and route changes. Many tram and bus lines will be diverted or shortened.
If you are traveling to Riga International Airport on Sunday, it is highly recommended to allow at least an extra hour for your journey, as the primary bridges connecting the city center to the Pārdaugava side will be under heavy pressure. Pedestrians will generally be able to cross the race route at designated intervals, but patience is advised as the sheer volume of 43,000 runners takes priority.
Source: Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
