DC Metro Safeguards Service During March Race

Ten WMATA bus routes will detour for 10 hours on March 7 for downtown DC race

DC Metro Detours 10 Bus Routes for March 7 Race

Ten WMATA bus routes will detour Saturday, March 7, 2026, for the FitDC HerStory 5K in downtown Washington. The changes affect routes D10, D1X, D30, D32, D4X, D40, D44, D50, D6X, and D60 from 3:30am to 1:30pm, transit officials said. The 10-hour disruption means early morning commuters and late-night travelers should plan for modified service and allow extra travel time.

Street Closures Drive Widespread Route Changes

The race will close portions of Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and Independence Avenue, forcing buses onto alternate paths. Transit agencies typically implement detours for special events to balance public access with service continuity, though the scale of this disruption is notable given the number of routes affected. The D10 Pennsylvania Ave route will use 13th Street and 3rd Street in both directions to bypass the race course. Seven routes—D30, D32, D44, D40, D4X, D60, and D6X—will operate only between their starting points and temporary stops, meaning riders can't complete full trips on these lines during the detour period.

Limited Service and Early Terminations Planned

The D1X Pennsylvania Ave Limited will terminate at 8th Street SE at Pennsylvania Avenue rather than continuing its usual route, WMATA confirmed. The D50 14th Street route will have modified paths in both northbound and southbound directions, with late-night service to L'Enfant Plaza ending at 5:00am on March 7. Officials didn't specify exact alternate routes for all affected lines or provide detailed stop-by-stop information for the modified service. WMATA said passengers should expect delays and consider alternative routes where possible.

Service Returns to Normal by Early Afternoon

All detours will end at 1:30pm on March 7, with buses returning to regular routes once streets reopen, transit officials said. The agency typically allows 30 to 60 minutes for full service restoration after street closures end, though officials haven't specified an exact timeline for when all routes will resume normal operations. WMATA encourages passengers to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time updates throughout the detour period.

Riders Should Plan Ahead for Race Day Disruptions

Passengers traveling through downtown Washington on March 7 should check schedules before leaving and allow extra time for trips. Those using affected routes may need to walk additional blocks to reach temporary stops or find alternative connections. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and detour updates for WMATA routes, helping riders navigate service changes during special events.