Heads up downtown businesses and patrons! Thousands of people will be walking and running downtown this weekend thanks to two events: the Color Run and Easter Seals Walk with Me.

With both events ending around 11 a.m., this is a great opportunity for downtown restaurants and businesses, which are encouraged to reach out to the event participants using marquees, sandwich boards and social media.

The Color Run starts at 9 a.m. and ends near Regal Theatres. The route goes south on Market Street to State Street, east through the northwest corner of the Missouri State campus to John Q. Hammons Parkway, north to Walnut Street where it will head west to Jefferson Avenue, then south to Campbell Avenue to the IDEA Commons before returning to Regal Theatres.

Access to downtown during the Color Run will be limited from the west and south, making St. Louis Street a better alternate route for customers and employees of downtown businesses.

The Easter Seals Walk with Me event begins at 10 a.m. and will take place in and around Jordan Valley Park. It will be bounded by Trafficway Street, Sherman Avenue, Phelps Street and Boonville Avenue.

During this event, access to downtown from the north on Boonville Avenue will be limited from Tampa to Water streets.

View course maps here and call 417-831-6200 before 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, for more information.