Thanksgiving traffic alert: East Sacramento streets and J Street bridge to close for race

More than 28,000 runners are expected to gather in East Sacramento for the 30th annual Run to Feed the Hungry race on Thanksgiving Day.

Some Sacramento streets will be closed as early as 4:30 a.m., with more detours in East Sacramento beginning as the race kicks off Thursday morning. Streets are expected to reopen by 11 a.m.

The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, a nonprofit that works to fight hunger in the area, hosts the race.

Organizers released the course for 5K and 10K runners, along with a neighborhood exit plan for those who will be affected by the street closures.

Sacramento street closure breakdown

The race kicks off on Thursday morning on H Street in front of Sacramento State. Those participating in the timed 10K race will start their trek at 8:15 a.m., and 5K runners wont start until 9 a.m. Untimed runners for each race start roughly five minutes after the timed race.

Below is a breakdown the approximate times for street closures, according to Run to Feed the Hungry organizers and neighborhood road signs:

Closed from 4:30 to 10:30 a.m.

• J street at 58th

Closed from 7 to 11:30 a.m.

• J Street Bridge

Closed starting at 8:10 a.m.:

• Folsom Boulevard at 38th and 39th streets

Closed from 8:15 to 11 a.m.

• J Street between Carlson Drive and 45th Street

Closed from 8:20 to 10:30 a.m.

• 45th Street between Folsom and J street
• Folsom Boulevard between 45 street and 41 Street
• 41st Street between Folsom and H Street

Closed from 8:15 to 11 a.m.

• H Street between Alhambra Boulevard and 55th Street

Closed from 8:24 to 9:30 a.m.

• Alhambra Boulevard between H street and McKinley Boulevard

Closed from 8:24 to 10:30 a.m.

• McKinley Boulevard between Alhambra Boulevard and Elvas Avenue

Closed from 8:24 to 10:30 a.m.

• Elvas Avenue between McKinley Boulevard and 51st Street
• 51st Street between Elvas Avenue and D Street
• D Street between 51st Street and Coloma Way
• Coloma Way between D Street and Pico Way
• Pico Way between Coloma Way and F Street
• F Street between Pico Way and 47th Street
• 47th Street between F and H Streets

Increased police presence is expected at the race as the FBI and local police are investigating a bomb threat made against the event. It is unknown if the threat is credible. Organizers said in an email to participants that, as of Monday, the in-person race would move forward with safety top-of-mind.

This story was originally published November 22, 2023 at 5:00 AM.