The 7th annual Market-to-Market Relay Iowa is happening this weekend.

The 75-mile race along the Raccoon River Valley Trail will take place on Saturday. It will start in downtown Jefferson and end in downtown Des Moines with 18 exchange points where the 350, seven-person teams will trade off throughout the race. Jefferson Mayor Craig Berry says with the damage to a bridge on the trail in Greene County, that will impact the race route somewhat. He describes the changes to the route.

“When they get down to Vest Street, they will take a left and run down Mulberry (Street) and under Graffiti Bridge down to 250th Street. From 250th Street, they will head south down to 260th Street and then skinny their way back onto the trail right at Winkleman (Switch).”

Berry points out the rest of the route remains the same. The first wave of runners will start at 5:45am with the final group to take off at 9:15 in Jefferson. Berry notes registration takes place Friday and there’s an estimated 2,800 that will be coming to Jefferson.

“Most of them won’t be staying here, most of them will be driving here in the morning (on Saturday), (and) some of them might be staying out at Cobblestone. But they will be coming in. It’ll be a nice time to show off the city. And they’ll be gone by 9:15.”

Berry adds that while the race is happening in town, Lincoln Way from Wilson Avenue to the trailhead will be closed to traffic.