Riga is preparing to host its premier sporting event of the year, the Rimi Riga Marathon. With more than 43,000 runners representing 110 countries descending on the Latvian capital, the city is bracing for significant logistical shifts. For residents, commuters, and international visitors, navigating the city between Friday, May 15, and Monday, May 18, will require careful planning to avoid major gridlock.
The scale of the event mirrors major global races like the London or New York marathons, effectively turning the historic center and its arterial bridges into a pedestrian-only zone for the duration of the weekend. Authorities have urged the public to exercise patience as the city transforms into a high-octane race track.
Major Road Closures and Bridge Restrictions
The most significant disruptions will occur on Sunday, May 17, when the full marathon, half-marathon, and shorter distance races take place. However, the heart of the disruption begins early. The 11. novembra krastmala (11th November Embankment), the city’s primary riverside artery, will be closed to all vehicle traffic from Friday evening (20:00) until Monday morning (06:00).
On Sunday, the impact spreads across the Daugava River. Drivers should expect staggered closures on several major bridges and access loops. While the Salu Bridge loop (Zone 1) is expected to reopen earliest, other areas will remain inaccessible for most of the day. Specifically, the Daugavgrīvas, Dzegužu, and Slokas street areas (Zone 2) will be closed from 06:30 to 11:00, while the Mežaparks district and the end of Brīvības Street (Zone 3) will remain off-limits until 13:00.
Navigating the Old Town and City Center
The historic Old Town (Vecrīga) will see temporary traffic flow reversals to accommodate the race. From Friday night through Monday morning, two-way traffic will be implemented on Jauniela, Krāmu Street, and Pils Street to allow residents and delivery services to reach otherwise cut-off locations.
On Sunday, additional two-way traffic measures will be introduced on sections of Kaļķu Street and Šķūņu Street. Visitors staying in Old Town hotels should be aware that taxi access will be severely limited, and walking to the nearest accessible perimeter point may be necessary. The city center (Zone 4) will experience the longest-lasting closures, with many streets not reopening until after 18:00 on Sunday following the final clean-up operations.
Parking Prohibitions and Vehicle Towing
Parking enforcement will be exceptionally strict throughout the weekend. Starting Friday afternoon, stopping and standing will be prohibited along the 11. novembra krastmala and adjacent streets. By Saturday morning, these restrictions will extend to Dzegužu Street and Slokas Street.
Crucially, any vehicles left in these zones after the deadlines will be forcibly moved to the nearest permitted parking area at the owner’s expense. Additionally, micro-mobility users should note that e-scooter parking zones will be deactivated in the embankment area and along major sections of the race route to prevent hazards for the runners.
Digital Tools for Real-Time Updates
To manage the chaos, the city has integrated all planned closures into the Waze navigation app. Drivers are strongly advised to use this tool for real-time routing, as it will reflect the exact moment streets are reopened by the State Police.
For those planning to use public transport, expect significant delays and route diversions across the entire network. While the city aims to reopen streets immediately after the final runners pass and cleaning crews finish, the sheer volume of 43,000 participants means that central Riga will remain a challenging environment for motorists until late Sunday evening.
Source: Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
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