The Woodlands Marathon, featuring a marathon and half-marathon through various locations in The Woodlands on March 2, will affect traffic throughout the day as runners depart from Town Green Park and make their way along two charted courses back to end the race at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

The races are part of the Beck and Masten Charity Challenge, which has raised over $1 million for various charities.

The half-marathon course begins on Lake Robbins Drive in front of Town Green Park, proceeds west on Research Forest Drive to Kuykendahl Road and continues back east on Lake Woodlands Drive to finish behind the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

The marathon course begins on Lake Robbins eastbound lane next to Town Green Park, continues south on Grogan's Mill Road, west on Sawdust Road and follows a clockwise course to eventually join Lake Woodlands Drive east back to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

According to marathon organizers, traffic in the area will be affected from 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Drivers should expect 15-30 minute delays when crossing the center area of the racecourse.

Officials recommend only residential traffic pass through the course during race hours.

Travel routes open on the day of the race area include:

Northbound

Kuykendahl Road 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Woodloch Forest 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
FM 2978 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
I-45 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Southbound
Woodloch Forest 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
FM 2978 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
I-45 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Westbound
Research Forest Drive 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Lake Woodlands Drive 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Eastbound
Hwy. 242 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Woodlands Parkway 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Businesses and neighborhoods will be accessible during the race, officials said.

In addition, all eastbound Lake Woodlands Drive lanes will be closed from 6:30-10 a.m. from Kuykendahl Road to Lake Front Circle, and one lane will be open for eastbound traffic at about 10 a.m., according to marathon officials.

Lake Woodlands westbound will have contraflow traffic, meaning vehicles will travel both east and west from Lake Front Circle, according to the marathon website, www.thewoodlandsmarathon.com