Weekend race event may cause traffic issues

The Ragnar Relay race taking place this weekend between Miami and Key West may cause some traffic issues, particularly in the Keys. Those people planning on driving on the Overseas Highway should be aware of it and plan their trip accordingly.

The race takes place January 4 – 5. Runners and support vehicles will travel between Miami and Key West during that time period. Travel through the upper Keys will take place late at night and during the early morning hours and should not be as much of a problem.

 Travel from the 7 Mile Bridge South, however, will take place between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the 5^th of January. Race teams accompanied by 1,000 support vehicles could cause traffic slowdowns.

Lower Keys Captain Gene Thompson met with race organizers earlier in the year to make sure some problems encountered during earlier races do not take place this year. However, the sheer number of runners and support vehicles still mean travelers should plan extra time if they are planning to drive while the race is taking place.

“Plan extra time if you are going to drive in the Lower Keys on Saturday during the day,” said Captain Thompson. “Race organizers have hired a large contingent of deputies to help keep traffic flowing, but we want to make sure everyone is aware of the event.”

Event organizers have hired 17 officers to work the Lower Keys route. The officers will work various hours and various locations between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m. In the Middle Keys, seven officers have been hired to work the race between the hours of midnight and 10:30 a.m. at various locations and times.