The Ironman 70.3 triathlon will impact traffic in Wilmington on Saturday

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — About 3,500 athletes from across the country will compete in the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina Triathlon on Saturday. The race begins in Wrightsville Beach and ends in downtown Wilmington.

The triathlon begins with a 1.2-mile swim in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach, followed by a 56-mile bike ride that takes participants through Wrightsville Beach, MLK Parkway, US 421 in Pender County and back to Wilmington. The event concludes with a 13.1-mile run that begins in north downtown, loops around Greenfield Lake and ends in Riverfront Park in front of the federal courthouse on Water Street.

Several road closures and traffic disruptions are expected over the weekend, with the greatest disruptions expected in downtown Wilmington.

Road closures in downtown Wilmington:

• Water Street between Market Street and Princess Street: closed from October 17th at 8am to October 19th at 8pm
• Princess Street (half a block from Water to Front Street): closed from October 17 at 8 a.m. to October 19 at 8 p.m
• Hanover Street between North Front and North Second Street: Closed from 8 a.m. October 18 to 8 p.m. October 19
• North Second Street between Brunswick and Hanover streets: Closed from 8 a.m. October 18 to 8 p.m. October 19

Effects on the cycling route:

Lane closures and traffic changes will be in place from 3am on Saturday, but most traffic lights along the cycle route will remain operational as usual. Cyclists ride along Eastwood Road, Market Street, North College Road and MLK Parkway before crossing the Isabel Holmes Bridge onto 421 N into Pender County. Cyclists then turn onto Union Chapel Road and use secondary roads before returning via Blueberry Road. to 421 S, back over the Isabel Holmes Bridge into downtown Wilmington.

Traffic coming from the Isabel Holmes Bridge into the city center will be rerouted. Motorists are advised to take MLK Parkway to the McRae Street exit.

Effects on running distance:

The running portion of the triathlon takes athletes along North Front Street and around Greenfield Lake. The inside lane of Lake Shore Drive will be closed from 5th Avenue to Carolina Beach Road. Vehicles entering Lake Shore Drive from intersecting streets must turn right, no left turns are permitted.