ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Drivers in Vilano Beach should expect delays Saturday morning as runners take over the Vilano Bridge for an annual community race.
The North Shores Improvement Association is hosting the 29th Annual Vilano Bridge Run, a long-standing event that supports the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind and the Vilano Beach community.
Traffic impacts are expected from about 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Race leaders encourage runners to get there as early as two hours in advance.
Officials say several roads in the Surfside Vilano Beach area will be closed, including Second Street, with impacts extending through First Street and Oak Avenue to the Vilano Bridge.
One lane of the bridge from the Vilano Beach side going towards St. Augustine will be closed during the race. The other side will remain open.
St. Johns County deputies will direct traffic through the area.
As runners clear the course, organizers say participants will be moved into bike lanes to allow traffic to gradually resume.
The race route stretches from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind campus on May Street, across the bridge and toward Coastal Highway.
After the race, organizers are inviting the community to attend a “Party in the Park,” featuring local vendors, food trucks, live music and activities for children.
Officials encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during the event.
About 1,300 runners are expected at the event.