In most local races I've seen, there's either a short wait for cars or ample warning not to go down certain streets. Drivers who end up waiting a long time can usually blame only themselves as they ignore signs.

Once in a 10K I actually saw a car slowly weave its way between two police cruisers blocking the road with lights flashing, drive up behind the cops and the runners grouped at the starting line, and start blaring on the horn trying to get through! (I'm pretty sure he got ticketed for that one)

For major races they usually publicize closures well ahead of time.

I was originally scheduled to work as a course monitor (i.e. traffic director) at our new local marathon (I wound up for various reasons working the post-race food tent instead), and so I went to the pre-race briefing provided by the local police department. Here's a random sampling of what we were told.

- We civilians would be covering the 4-way stop sign interesections, the 'tee' intersections, and the like. The police would be manning any intersection where they would actually have to be directing traffic (i.e. any with stop-lights). That way we wouldn't need to get any extra training.

- Do not do something - or allow something to happen - that will break the runner's stride.

- Some of the most vociferous complainers you'll see will be the families going to church. Try to work with them, but only if you can do so safely.

- If there is a sufficient break in the runners you can let one or two cars through the intersection, but make sure the break is big enough. The drivers will probably take longer to get through than you expect ('you mean me?').

- The runners will be told that there will be traffic on parts of the course so they need to be aware of their surroundings.

I ran the National Marathon in DC the first year. The part where it went through Prince Georges county had traffic backed up for miles. I really thought one of the runners was going to get shot in anger.

4boys - OMG!!! And that was during the infamous Half Marathon Blizzard, when all we wanted to do was FINISH the d*mn race and find a blanket in the med tent.

You were probably shivering too much to get his badge number...

I've seen both sides. As a runner, I've experienced traffic trying to cut across the course. At this years RnR in San Diego, some dim bulb and her kid were riding thier bikes against the course direction. Almost caused a flipping disaster. Didn't she notice 18,000 peoples faces heading her direction??? But hey, she was in the bike lane, so it's alright, right?

As a former Sheriff Deputy I have directed traffic at many an event- bikes, running, walking, etc. At first I thought drivers were absolutely oblivious to what was going on at the event. Quickly I learned they realized, and felt all righteous about crossing the path, etc. They saw the runners/bikers/traffic cop. They just want to prove a point while sitting inside 2500 pounds of protection. I have been cussed at more than I care to remember by these lunkheads. They know a cop on foot can't run after them. What they don't know is they can't out run a Motorola though. Sometimes it works.

I always hope that they get a judge that is a runner or cyclist.