BURLINGTON, Vt. -
A holiday weekend, a marathon, and good weather.
That's a mix that could make for a busy weekend in Burlington and it's a big change from a year ago as the city and businesses struggled with historic flooding.
The tables were out and Breakwater Cafe & Grill in Burlington was ready for customers Thursday.
"It's about 34 days earlier than last year and with a lot less work and a lot less stress," says Al Gobeille, owner.
Gobeille still has a hard time thinking back to last spring.
"It was two months of four-feet of water where we are standing right now," says Gobeille.
When Lake Champlain poured into his restaurant, Gobeille saw money drain out. He says between lost sales and repairing damage, flooding cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"It was a survival summer. It was hard to complain because there were homeowners that were forced from their homes," says Gobeille.
While it's been a year since the lake flooded, some of the damage has not been repaired. That was a concern to organizers of the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon.
Race Director of Communications Leandre Waldo-Johnson says there were detours last year because of the flooding. She says thankfully the damaged parts of the route have recently been repaired.
"The Public Works' crew and the Department of Parks and Recreation have done an exceptional job getting the course ready for us," says Waldo-Johnson.
Waldo-Johnson expects some 8,000 runners and 30,000 spectators for the 24th annual marathon Sunday. She says they could pump up to $3.5-million into the area.
"We are so excited. It's going to be a great event," says Waldo-Johnson.
There are going to road closures Sunday morning because of the marathon. Organizers say drivers should prepare for long delays near the course.
CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF ROAD CLOSURES
