Drivers across Augusta and North Augusta should prepare for traffic delays and road impacts as the IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta triathlon returns Sunday, Sept. 27.
Race organizers said traffic conditions will be affected beginning at 4 a.m. and continuing until about 6 p.m. as more than 2,000 athletes compete in the annual event, which includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike course and a 13.1-mile run.
The race begins at 7:15 a.m. with a swim from the Sharon Jones Amphitheater in North Augusta to the Fifth Street Marina in downtown Augusta. Athletes will then transition to a bicycle course through south Augusta before returning downtown for the running portion. The race finishes on Reynolds Street.
Organizers said safety remains a top priority and dozens of law enforcement officers, security vehicles and volunteer road marshals will be stationed throughout the course. Residents and motorists are encouraged to follow directions from officials and use navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze for real-time traffic updates and alternate routes.
The first cyclists are expected on the course around 7:35 a.m., with all cyclists projected to clear the route by approximately 3 p.m. While roads along the bike course will remain open to traffic, portions of major routes in south Augusta, including Gordon Highway, Mike Padgett Highway, Old Waynesboro Road, Doug Barnard Parkway and Lock and Dam Road, will experience lane closures and traffic control throughout the day.
Race leaders are expected to begin the run around 9:43 a.m. Runners must complete the course by 6 p.m. Reynolds Street between Fourth and 13th streets will be impacted throughout the day, with westbound traffic closed and only limited eastbound access available.
Several downtown closures will begin before race day. Reynolds Street from Burum Lane to Eighth Street will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Eighth Street between Broad and Reynolds streets will close beginning at 6 a.m. Friday and remain closed until approximately 6 p.m. Sunday.
Motorists should also expect delays along 13th Street and portions of the North Augusta Greeneway, Riverside Boulevard and Railroad Avenue due to the run course.
Several areas will be designated as no-parking zones during the event, including the Fifth Street Marina, Sixth Street, parking lots along the Augusta Greeneway trail and areas near the Sharon Jones Amphitheater.
Organizers encourage residents to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and exercise caution around athletes and race personnel throughout the day.
To see the race courses, visit www.ironman.com/races/im703-augusta/course.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Expect traffic delays as IRONMAN 70.3 returns to Augusta
