Kelowna’s wine country half marathon will disrupt traffic, parking

The Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon is happening on Sunday and that means traffic is to be a bit touchy in the Okanagan.

The 21-kilometre race starts at 7 a.m. at The Vibrant Vine Winery on Pooley Road and runners will make their way through East Kelowna, Lower Mission, South Kelowna, City Park and Waterfront Park.

Accommodates to the event will have to happen, which means road closures and parking restrictions will be in place.

Parking restrictions

· The Water Street Boat Launch parking lot will be closed to the public from Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. – Sunday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. to accommodate event set up, parking and runners approaching the finish line. Parking stalls adjacent to the Yacht Club will be restricted during this time.

· The Dolphins parking lot will be partially closed to the public from Saturday at 8 a.m. – Sunday at 1 p.m. Portion of lot still available for public use.

· On-street parking on the west side of Water Street from Sunset Drive to Cawston Avenue will be restricted on Sunday, Sept. 4 from 4:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to accommodate shuttle buses transporting race participants. Vehicles parked along Water Street during this time will be courtesy towed to the City Hall parking lot located on the corner of Ellis Street and Doyle Avenue.

· On-street parking will also be restricted along Watt Road (west side) from Boyce-Gyro Park to Walnut Street and on Walnut Street (west side) from Watt Rd. to Abbott Street from 4:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Runners will have the right of way through intersections during the race. RCMP, along with flaggers will serve as traffic control personnel.

East Kelowna Road closures (7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.)

Roads will reopen following the last runner.

· Pooley Road from Rose Road to Bemrose Road

· Bemrose Road from Pooley to Reekie Road

· Reekie Road from Bemrose to Hart

· Hart Road from Reekie Road to Todd Road

· Todd Road from Hart Road to Saucier Road

Lower Mission and South Kelowna traffic advisory (7:30a.m. – 10:15 a.m.)

Roads will remain open with runners using bike lanes or road shoulders. Motorists are reminded that runners have the right of way through intersections.

· Casorso Road to Mission Creek Greenway

· From the Mission Creek Greenway, participants will cross onto Lakeshore Road

· Lakeshore Road to Watt Road

· Watt Road to Walnut Street

· Walnut Street to Abbott Street

Lane Restrictions (7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)

· Saucier Road from Todd Road to Bedford Road – No westbound access; only eastbound vehicles permitted

· Bedford Road from Saucier Road to Casorso Road – one way alternating traffic only

Downtown traffic advisory (8 – 10:45 a.m.)

Parks and pathways will remain open for public use.

· Abbott Street to City Park (participants will use the tunnel)

· City Park to Stuart Park along pathway before finishing at Waterfront Park

For more information about the race and its route and detour routes, visit destinationraces.com/runbc/