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IRONMAN 70.3 NC 2024: Wilmington traffic, route details

Posted on by Kennedy
IRONMAN 70.3 NC 2024: Wilmington traffic, route details

The Ironman 70.3 North Carolina returns to Wilmington on Saturday for the 15th edition of the port city competition.

More than 3,200 athletes are registered for the sold-out race, which offers some new tricks for this special occasion.

The swim, bike and run course, which sends athletes from Wrightsville Beach to Wilmington and parts of Pender County, began in 2008 and has been held every year since, with the exception of 2018 (Hurricane Florence) and 2020 (COVID-19). .

Local race director Sami Winter says this year's event is a tribute to the race's long running history.

“We want everyone to realize what a celebration it is to have held this race in southeastern North Carolina for so long,” Winter said. “We want people to get a feel for the city and how it has retained its southern charm.”

PHOTOS: IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina 2023

IRONMAN 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 NC returns to Wilmington: traffic outlook, route details

From course details to traffic delays, here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Ironman 70.3 NC in Wilmington this Saturday.

Ironman 70.3 North Carolina course details

It was originally called the Beach2Battleship triathlon before Ironman purchased the race from the YMCA of Wilmington in 2016. This year's competition will pay homage to the original route as the race ends in downtown Wilmington at Water Street Park, directly across from Battleship North Carolina.

Beginning with the popular swim course, voted Best Swim Course in North America at the 2022 Athlete's Choice Awards, athletes will begin the day at Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington.

A rolling start at 7:10 a.m. (fastest athletes first) begins the 1.2-mile swim in the Banks Chanel, a canal connected to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Next, racers hop on the bike and embark on a 56-mile ride that stretches from Wilmington to Pender County. Cyclists cross Causeway Drive and onto Eastwood Road, quickly turning onto Market Street and College Road before heading east on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, where they eventually cross the Cape Fear River and onto the U.S 421 bump.

Everything on the course of this year's race is being redesigned.

“Since it’s the 15th year, we wanted to pay a little homage and respect to Beach2Battleship,” Winter said. “We are back at the original finish line and the athletes will finish with an incredible view of the battleship.”

The 13.1 mile run begins on Front Street and briefly passes through Riverfront Park. From there, runners return to Front Street and run down to Greenfield Lake, completing almost a full lap before turning around and running back. Racers return up Front Street and onto the boardwalk before finishing at Water Street Park.

Ironman 70.3 North Carolina: Weather in Wilmington on race day

A sunny day with a forecast high of 74 degrees should make for picturesque conditions as the athletes travel through Wilmington on Saturday.

Although water temperatures are slightly warmer than last year, racers should still be able to wear wetsuits as the expected water temperature is between 72 and 73 degrees, below the 76 degree limit for wetsuit use.

Wilmington Traffic Outlook

Several area roads will be closed for the race, with most reopening at 3 p.m

Below is a full breakdown of all temporary and full road closures for the race. For more information, if you have any transportation questions, call Ironman 70.3 North Carolina staff at (910) 714-8950.

RACE WEEK CLOSURES

Location Closing dates and times
Water St from Market St to Princess St Closed from October 17th at 8:00 a.m. until October 19th. at 8:00 p.m
Princess St (1/2 block) from Water St towards Front St Closed from October 17th at 8:00 a.m. until October 19th. at 8:00 p.m
Hanover St between N Front and N 2nd Closed from October 18th at 8:00 a.m. until October 19th. at 8:00 p.m
N 2nd from Brunswick to Hanover St Closed from October 18th at 8:00 a.m. until October 19th. at 8:00 p.m

RACE DAY CLOSURES | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

Location Closing dates and times
Traffic control devices on the cycle route Starts at 3 a.m. (temporary closure)
Causeway Dr from Waynick Blvd to Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge Closed from 5:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m
All streets that intersect Eastwood (eastbound) and MLK (eastbound). Closed from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m
Eastwood/Military Cut-Off Junction Expect delays between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m
College Rd (southbound) from MLK to Racine Dr Expect delays between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m
Market St (eastbound) from College Rd to MLK Expect delays between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m
MLK (Eastbound) from MacRae St to College Rd Delays are to be expected – one lane is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m
Hwy 76 (eastbound) ramp to 421 (northbound) Closed from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
Highway 421 (northbound and southbound) I-140-Isabel Holmes Expect delays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
Front St (southbound) from N 3rd to Brunswick St Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
Exit from I-140 onto 421 (both north and south) Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
I-140 West Ramp from 421 (North and South) Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m
I-140 east ramp from 421 (north and south) Expect delays between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m

PENDER COUNTY BICYCLE ROUTE

Location Closing dates and times
Highway 421 from 210 to Highway 53 Expect delays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
Highway 210 West from 421 to Brinson Rd Local traffic only/delays are expected from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Highway 421 and Corporate Dr/Cowpen's Landing Flashing traffic lights, watch out for cyclists from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m

RUNNING DISTANCE

Location Closing dates and times
N 2nd from N Front St to Brunswick St Closed from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m
Brunswick St from 3rd St to N Front St Closed from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m
Hanover St from N Front to Nutt St Closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m
Front St (southbound) from Brunswick St to Red Cross Closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m
Front St (southbound) from N 3rd to Orange St Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
S Front St (northbound) from S 3rd/Burnette St to Dawson St Closed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Front St (northbound) from Red Cross to N 3rd St Closed from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (local traffic open)
Greenfield St from S Front St to S Fifth Ave Closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
S 3rd St (southbound) at Wooster St Closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
West access to Water St Open on cross streets along Front St

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