On race morning, parking around Minute Maid Park will be rather tight. All participants are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 a.m. Parking is available at numerous downtown parking lots for a fee as well as on street parking. We suggest participants consider parking near Minute Maid Park and take the shuttle buses to the start. The shuttle buses will be at the east end of Lot C, corner of Bastrop and Preston. Keep in mind the last shuttle bus will depart at 9:00 a.m. to the start - don't be late!
SHUTTLE BUSES
Shuttles will transport Rodeo Run participants and volunteers from Minute Maid Park to the start area between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. before the race, and between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. following the race. To board a shuttle bus, race participants must show race number. Please note that THE LAST SHUTTLE BUS TO THE START LINE WILL DEPART AT 9:00 a.m. FROM MINUTE MAID PARK.
THERE IS NO RACEDAY PACKET PICK-UP, REGISTRATION or CHANGING EVENTS. All registration, packet pick-up and changes to event distances must be completed by 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 at Luke's Locker (1953 W. Gray).
2012 Directions and Parking
Saturday will be a VERY BUSY day in downtown Houston. Several hundred thousand spectators are expected to be downtown to watch our 15,000 participants and all of the Rodeo Parade festivities that follow. There are two key things to remember
– map out your parking strategy ahead of time, and arrive early!
Arrive early
In order to beat the heavy traffic and road closures, you should arrive in town no later than 8:00 am. This will give you time to park and get to the start line in time for the 9:15 wheelchair, 9:25 10K or 9:45 5K run/walk start.
Avoid the west side of town
Below are the suggested routes into town:
From I-45 traveling south or I-10 traveling east - Take the freeway past the Smith and Nance exits and take the 59 South exit (770A) to the right. Continue around the ramp to the Hamilton (Downtown) exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
From Hwy 59 traveling north - Take the Polk exit (2nd downtown exit) onto Chartres. Turn left on Polk to Convention Center Blvd, Crawford or Austin and turn right.
From I-45 traveling north - Take the Scott/Downtown Destination exit and exit onto St. Joseph Parkway or Pease. Continue to Chenevert or Austin and turn right.
From I-10 traveling west - Take the Downtown exit (770A) and stay in the right lane to the Hamilton exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
From Hwy 59 traveling south - Take the Downtown Destinations/Hamilton exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
Please refer to the Downtown Access Map (648Kb .PDF file) & Downtown Parking map (540Kb .PDF file) for details.
Parking
The highest demand for parking will be on the west side of town near the parade route and the start of the run. The Post Race Party and finish line are located on the east side of town at Lot C of Minute Maid Field.
NOTE – Last year, Lots A and B at Minute Maid Field were available for runners to park! Please enter Lot A off of Hamilton and Lot B off of Chartres.
There is very limited parking within two blocks of the finish. This is expected to be full before 8:00 am. There is quite a bit of parking between Hwy 59 and San Jacinto which will be available and easier to get in and out of town. This parking is all within ten blocks of the start or the finish line. Ampco Parking has committed that the rate in their surface lots in the Minute Maid area will be $4)
There is also ample capacity at the George R. Brown Parking Garage located on Convention Center Blvd. under Discovery Green. Saturday parking is $10 and, the garage is open 24/7.
After you park, you can walk to the start line, located at Texas and Smith or, if it’s closer, walk to the finish line and take a shuttle bus to the start. The shuttle buses depart from the corner of Texas and Bastrop and will be running from 7:30 to 9:00 am and from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please note that THE LAST SHUTTLE BUS TO THE START LINE WILL DEPART AT 9:00 am!
Please refer to the Downtown Access Map (648Kb .PDF file) & Downtown Parking map (540Kb .PDF file) for details.
NOTE: The Saturday Parking Meter Ordinance is in effect. Meter parking may be limited to two hours.
Again, it is most important that you look at the map beforehand, plan your route into town, and ARRIVE EXTRA EARLY.
From I-45 traveling south or I-10 traveling east - Take the freeway past the Smith and Nance exits and take the 59 South exit (770A) to the right. Continue around the ramp to the Hamilton (Downtown) exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
From Hwy 59 traveling north - Take the Polk exit (2nd downtown exit) onto Chartres. Turn left on Polk to Convention Center Blvd, Crawford or Austin and turn right.
From I-45 traveling north - Take the Scott/Downtown Destination exit and exit onto St. Joseph Parkway or Pease. Continue to Chenevert or Austin and turn right.
From I-10 traveling west - Take the Downtown exit (770A) and stay in the right lane to the Hamilton exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
From Hwy 59 traveling south - Take the Downtown Destinations/Hamilton exit. Turn right on Congress or continue past Minute Maid Field to Capitol and turn right.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DOWNTOWN ACCESS DETAILS
