Buffalo Marathon 2019 winners, live stream: TV schedule, and how to watch online.

The marathon is a four-day event this year, with yoga at the finish line on Franklin Street at 6 p.m. Friday kicking off the festivities and a Slow Roll at the Buffalo Naval Park on Memorial Day Monday to bring things to a close.

Here’s everything runners, spectators and those who want to avoid the crowds need to know about race weekend:

Runners:

Updated May 26, 2019 at 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM EDT

The Buffalo Marathon takes place Sunday. Whether you're running, watching or trying to plan around road closures, here's what you need to know.

The race begins at 6:30 a.m. and the starting corrals open at approximately 5:45 a.m. The start line is located on Delaware Avenue between Huron and Mohawk streets.

About 7,500 runners are expected for the 26.2 mile marathon and the 13.1 half-marathon. Last year's marathon winner was Hornell's Tim Chichester in 2:18.06; the women's winner was Rochester's Laura Anderson in 2:57:06.

Here is a look at the course.

Video: All you need to know about the Buffalo Marathon

 Around the 22-mile mark of the Buffalo Marathon on Sunday, Ellie Pell needed a quick break. She was worn. She was in pain. She couldn’t contain herself for much longer, literally or figuratively.During the late stages of a grueling road race, Pell needed to go to the bathroom.Knowing she was still well on pace to finish the 26.2-mile race in under 2 hours, 50 minutes, the Ithaca resident took a quick reprieve. She ducked into a port-a-potty near Buffalo State College and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and let nature take its course. Her time away from the course was minimal.“Really, you only lose a couple seconds,” Pell said.

Buffalo Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay

She emerged, relieved, and she found her second wind in the final 4.2 miles. Pell, who typically runs ultramarathons – races that are longer than a standard marathon but can go as long as 50 miles or more – completed her second marathon and finished the 26.2 mile course in a chip time of 2 hours, 48 minutes, 40 seconds.

Some ran the 5k as a warm up for Sunday."Warm up,” said runner Cameron Moore. “My family is here, so it's family time and they will do half tomorrow and I will do the full.”"I ran the full the last few years and tomorrow I'm doing half so I’m just getting a nice quick run today,” said runner John Wayda.While others joined in just so they could be a part of the weekend or run a personal record.“I just got my new best time,” said 9-year-old runner Owner Hall. “Around 27:30. It was my seventh 5k ever. It's just really fun."

However, this weekend is about a lot more than just running. Thirty-five charities support the marathon and in return, executive director Greg Weber says they donate $75,000 back to them.

"I've been an endurance athlete for a long time,” said Weber. “It's a great community of athletes and we love it and the city is on the rise and we are going right along with it."

Road closures are already in effect. While this may slow down traffic just a bit, Weber says with all the good this weekend does, he hopes drivers slow down.

"So I just ask for patience and a little tolerance,” said Weber. “We only do it once a year. The road closures are the same as in the past and on our website is the easiest way to look at it.

The Buffalo Marathon takes place Sunday. Whether you're running, watching or trying to plan around road closures, here's what you need to know.

The race begins at 6:30 a.m. and the starting corrals open at approximately 5:45 a.m. The start line is located on Delaware Avenue between Huron and Mohawk streets.

About 7,500 runners are expected for the 26.2 mile marathon and the 13.1 half-marathon. Last year's marathon winner was Hornell's Tim Chichester in 2:18.06; the women's winner was Rochester's Laura Anderson in 2:57:06.

Here is a look at the course.