The 2011 National Marathon, the only marathon to take place completely within the confines of the District of Columbia, is scheduled for Saturday. The Marathon always causes major issues for drivers — add in the fact that Saturday is also the first day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and we’re expecting a full blown trafficpocalypse around the District on Saturday.

The 5th Annual SunTrust National Marathon is happening this Saturday, March 20, lasting from approximately 7 a.m to 1 p.m. Temporary, intermittent street closings will occur along the race route (which includes the 26.2-mile marathon, a 13.1 mile half-marathon, and relay races) starting at 6:45 a.m. East Capitol Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 13th Street NE to 2nd Street NE from 6:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Residents who normally use East…

The Suntrust National Marathon is tomorrow, Saturday March 21, and much of the city will be affected by mass road closures and detours. Details on Metrorail and Metrobus schedule changes can be found here. The bottom line: a whole lot buses are being rerouted to go around the race course. Pretty much every bus that travels through the center of the city will be affected: the 5A, 13A, 13B, 13F, 13G, 32, 34, 36,…

So, let’s see if we have all the enormous events happening in the city this weekend down: the National Marathon on Saturday, Opening Day at Nationals Park on Sunday, the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the 42nd Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival. Did we forget anything? Here’s what you need to know: Metro will open at 5 a.m. on Saturday to help get the marathon runners to the starting line on time at…