Flower City Challenge to Bring Road Closures and Traffic Delays to Rochester

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The Flower City Challenge, a popular half marathon and 5K running event, will take place in Rochester, New York on April 26, 2026. The event is expected to draw over 2,000 participants and will result in various road closures and traffic delays across the city's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods on April 25-26.

Why it matters

The Flower City Challenge is a major annual event that celebrates Rochester's vibrant running community and brings thousands of athletes and spectators to the city's streets. However, the road closures and traffic disruptions required to host the event can create challenges for local residents and businesses, making it important for the community to be aware of the potential impacts.

The details

The Flower City Challenge will feature a half marathon (13.1 miles) starting at 7:30 a.m., a 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 7:40 a.m., and a half-mile kids' race starting at 10:30 a.m. All events will start and finish at Parcel 5 in downtown Rochester. Various road closures and traffic restrictions will be in effect, including the closure of Cortland Street at Parcel 5 from 12 p.m. on April 25 through 12:30 p.m. on April 26, as well as impacts to streets such as Main, East Main, Goodman, Pinetum, Reservoir, and South Avenue.

• Cortland Street at Parcel 5 closed from 12 p.m. on April 25 through 12:30 p.m. on April 26.
• Half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. on April 26.
• 5K starts at 7:40 a.m. on April 26.
• Kids' half-mile race starts at 10:30 a.m. on April 26.
• Various road closures and traffic restrictions in effect from 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 26.

What’s next

Runners and spectators are encouraged to check the Flower City Challenge's website for the most up-to-date information on road closures, parking restrictions, and other event details.