Carpoolers can park closer at Saturday's Race for the Cure

When thousands of runners and their supporters roll into Research Triangle Park on Saturday for the Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the Cure, those who carpool will have the advantage of closer parking.

Race organizers will run the standard park-and-ride shuttle system from a lot on N.C. Highway 54 near Miami Boulevard, with buses starting to roll at 6:30 a.m. for the 7:30 a.m. start of the competitive 5K. The parking lot is accessible from Interstate 40 via the Miami Boulevard exit.

Organizers recommend allowing about 45 minutes to park and make the trip to the start line.

Vehicles carrying three or more people should post a sign in the front window with the word "CARPOOL" for access to parking that is a short walk from the race site. Carpoolers should use the Davis Drive exit off I-40.

In addition to the competitive 5K, there are races at 9 a.m. for women only, at 9:05 a.m. for recreational runners and walkers and at 10:45 a.m. for kids ages 3 to 5.

The Race for the Cure moves to RTP for its 20th running in the Triangle because construction along Raleigh's Hillsborough Street has made the traditional Meredith College location in accessible.

Through Thursday, about 6,000 people had registered to participate. In-person registration is available for the competitive or the recreational races Friday through 7 p.m. at the Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive in RTP, or for the recreational race Saturday morning until 8:45 a.m.

After the race, the Belk Tailgate Zone will feature food trucks, beer, music and games throughout the morning, with the last bus leaving for the parking lot at 1:30 p.m.