Closures, delays expected on Kadena for Okinawa Marathon

  • Published
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena members can expect road closures and delays as the base opens its gates to runners of the 2013 Okinawa Marathon Feb. 17.

Gate 2 and Gate 5 will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Roads will be closed from Gate 2 on Kuter Blvd. to Vincent Avenue, from Vincent Avenue to Schreiber Blvd., and from Schreiber Blvd. to Gate 5. However, Gate 2 will remain open for pedestrians with authorized base passes.

Runners will enter Kadena through Gate 2 on Kuter Blvd., turn left onto Vincent Avenue at Chapel 2, turn left on Schreiber Blvd. at Kadena High School, and exit the base through Gate 5.

The following facilities will be affected by the marathon: Chapel 2; the Kadena Library; Shogun Inn; Officers Club; Kadena High School; Bob Hope Primary School; Amelia Earhart Intermediate School; dormitories located along the route, family housing on Beeson Avenue; the temporary lodging facility; and visiting officers quarters.

Residents living inside the on-base route should consider parking their vehicles outside the affected area if they plan to travel anywhere from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will only be one authorized vehicle egress route into/out of the affected area.

Vehicle traffic will be allowed to cross at the intersection of Vincent Street and Beeson Street. Traffic will be regulated by security forces.

Runners will have priority and wait times to cross may be as long as 30 minutes; please plan accordingly. Pedestrians will only be authorized to cross the marathon route on the crosswalks near the Base Exchange, at the Kadena United Services Organization, and behind the Officers Club to cross over Kuter Blvd. These crosswalks will also be regulated by security forces.

Any traffic-related questions or concerns can be directed to Master Sgt. Steven Redmond at the 18th Security Forces Squadron at 634-0973.

For maps of the Kadena portion of the marathon and location of key stations, click here.