Ironman 70.3 triathlon to impact Wilmington traffic on Saturday

October 18, 2024

WWAY News,

Traffic delays are expected around New Hanover County during the annual Ironman this Saturday (Photo: WWAY)

WILMINGTON, NC (AP) — Approximately 3,500 athletes from across the country are set to compete in the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina Triathlon on Saturday, with the race beginning in Wrightsville Beach and ending in downtown Wilmington.

The triathlon will start 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 into Wilmington. The event concludes with a 13.1-mile run starting in northern downtown, looping around Greenfield Lake, and ending at Riverfront Park in front of the federal courthouse on Water Street.

Several road closures and traffic impacts are expected throughout the weekend, with downtown Wilmington experiencing the most significant disruptions.

Downtown Wilmington Road Closures:

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

Bike Course Impacts:

Starting at 3 a.m. on Saturday, lane closures and changes to traffic patterns will be implemented, though most traffic lights along the bike route will remain operating as normal. Cyclists will travel along Eastwood Road, Market Street, North College Road, and MLK Parkway before crossing the Isabel Holmes Bridge onto 421 N into Pender County. Cyclists will then turn onto Union Chapel Road and use secondary roads before returning down Blueberry Rd. to 421 S, back over the Isabel Holmes Bridge into downtown Wilmington.

Traffic coming into downtown from the Isabel Holmes bridge will be diverted; drivers are advised to take MLK Parkway to the McRae Street exit.

Run Course Impacts:

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