WMATA Reroutes 10 Lines for Weekend Event
Ten WMATA bus routes detour around downtown DC for PanCan Purple Stride 5K race
WMATA Reroutes 10 Bus Lines for Purple Stride 5K
Ten WMATA bus routes will detour around downtown Washington this weekend as the PanCan Purple Stride 5K closes major streets. The detours affect the D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, and D6X routes from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, transit officials said. Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue will be closed between 3rd Street and 12th Street NW, forcing buses onto alternate paths and creating temporary stops.
Context & Background
The street closures accommodate the annual PanCan Purple Stride 5K, which draws thousands of participants to the National Mall area for pancreatic cancer awareness. WMATA typically reroutes multiple bus lines several times each year for major downtown events, races, and demonstrations that require extensive street closures. The affected routes serve some of the system's busiest corridors, connecting commuters and tourists to federal buildings, museums, and Metro stations. Officials didn't provide ridership estimates for how many passengers will need to adjust their travel plans during the 21-hour detour period.
Key Details
The detours will be in effect from Friday, April 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM through Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Different detour patterns will apply during two time periods: Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM, and Saturday from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The D10 Pennsylvania Avenue route will detour via 13th Street in both directions, while limited service routes D1X and D4X will have significantly reduced operating areas during the event. Some routes will operate on shortened schedules, terminating at temporary bus stops rather than their regular destinations, though officials didn't specify which routes will see shortened service or where temporary stops will be located.
Timeline & Implementation
Street closures begin Friday evening at 6:00 PM, with buses immediately shifting to detour routes. The detour patterns change overnight at 3:00 AM Saturday as race organizers adjust street closures for the event's main activities. All routes are scheduled to return to normal service by 3:00 PM Saturday afternoon. Officials didn't say how long after the 3:00 PM end time it'll take for buses to resume regular schedules or whether any delays might extend into Saturday evening service.
Rider Impact & Moovit
Passengers should plan for additional travel time and consider alternative routes during the event period, transit officials said. Some riders may need to walk several blocks to reach temporary bus stops, particularly those who normally board along Pennsylvania Avenue or Constitution Avenue. WMATA encourages riders to sign up for MetroAlerts for real-time service information during the detours. Moovit provides real-time updates and alternative route suggestions for WMATA bus services affected by the weekend closures.
