Road Closures for the Cap10K and New Parking Rules at Zilker

Austin, TX · April 12, 2026

Happy Sunday — if you’re heading toward the lake this morning, keep an eye on the clock and your GPS. The race finish line at Vic Mathias Shores is already buzzing, and the new digital parking meters at Zilker Park officially go live at 8:00 AM.

The Lead

The Statesman Capitol 10K is back this morning, marking its 49th year as a quintessential local tradition. Whether you’re running, cheering, or just trying to navigate to brunch, the race footprint is significant today. Starting at the Congress Avenue Bridge and winding through West Austin before finishing at the lake, the route effectively bisects the city until early afternoon. City officials expect over 22,000 participants, making this one of the largest 10K events in the country. For residents, this means Cesar Chavez and Congress will be largely impassable until roughly 1:00 PM. Beyond the logistics, the race remains a massive fundraiser, with this year’s proceeds earmarked for the Austin Parks Foundation to help with trail restoration. If you aren't participating, it’s a great day to explore the eastern or northern pockets of the city to avoid the downtown bottleneck.

Local Pulse

  • Stage 2 Water Restrictions Persist Despite the recent spring showers, combined storage levels at Lakes Travis and Buchanan remain below the 900,000 acre-feet threshold. Residents are reminded that automatic irrigation is limited to one specific day per week based on your street address.

  • Montopolis Neighborhood Center Expansion The city has finalized the design phase for the expansion of the Montopolis Community Center. The project will add a new gymnasium and a dedicated senior wing, with construction crews expected to begin staging equipment by the end of the month.

  • Zilker Park Digital Parking Transition Starting this morning, the parking lots surrounding the Great Lawn have transitioned to a fully digital payment system. No more paper tickets; you will need to use the city’s parking app or scan the QR codes posted at the new kiosks.

Today's Outlook

  • High 82°F · Low 64°F Expect bright sunshine for the morning runners with a light breeze coming off the water. Clouds will start to stack up toward sunset, but any potential rain should hold off until well after midnight.

What's On Around Town

  • Statesman Capitol 10K Congress Ave & Ann Richards Bridge 8:00 AM The largest 10K in Texas kicks off with a costume contest and a wave start, followed by a finish line festival at Vic Mathias Shores featuring live music.

  • Mueller Farmers Market 4209 Airport Blvd 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM A favorite for families and dog owners alike, held under the historic Browning Hangar. Grab some local honey and fresh sourdough while the kids enjoy the nearby playground.

  • Chicken Shit Bingo Little Longhorn Saloon, 5434 Burnet Rd 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM A Sunday staple that defines local quirk. It is exactly what it sounds like, featuring live honky-tonk music and a very specific type of luck for those holding tickets.

  • Dripping Springs: Founders Day Festival Downtown Dripping Springs 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM A 25-minute drive west for the final day of this heritage celebration, featuring a grand parade, carnival rides, and over 150 artisan booths.

  • Round Rock: Yoga on the Plaza Prete Main Street Plaza 9:00 AM A free community class in the heart of downtown Round Rock. Bring your own mat and enjoy a quiet session before the Sunday brunch rush begins.

Spotlight & Story

  • BookPeople Located at the corner of 6th and Lamar, this isn't just a bookstore; it’s the largest independent bookseller in Texas and has been a cornerstone of the local literary scene since 1970. While many cities lost their flagship indies to the big-box era, this shop thrived by becoming a community living room. Did you know they host over 300 events a year? It remains one of the few places where you might find a Nobel Prize winner and a local zine creator sharing the same shelf space.

Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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