IRONMAN 70.3 Wilmington returns Saturday, bringing road closures and traffic changes

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The IRONMAN 70.3 Wilmington returns this weekend, bringing athletes and spectators to the Cape Fear region along with several road closures and traffic changes.

The race is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, with traffic control measures beginning as early as 3 a.m.

The event’s 56-mile bicycle course will take athletes through Wrightsville Beach, downtown Wilmington and into Pender County.

Drivers should expect temporary road closures, lane restrictions and changes to traffic patterns throughout the course.

Several streets in downtown Wilmington will also be closed for extended periods during race week.

Water Street between Market Street and Princess Street, along with the lower portion of Princess Street, started closing Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m. Those closures will remain in place until Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m.

Another section of Water Street, between Princess Street and Chestnut Street, will close Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 a.m. and reopen Saturday at 8 p.m.

Race-day traffic control devices will begin operating at 3 a.m. Saturday.

Motorists traveling through downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and areas of Pender County should plan for possible delays and allow extra travel time.

The event is scheduled to run through 8 p.m. Saturday.

Drivers are encouraged to review the race route and plan alternate travel arrangements where necessary.

Additional information and race maps are available through the IRONMAN website.