Augusta, GA
Preparing for Ironman: road closures and more
AUGUSTA, Ga. –
This weekend, Augusta will be welcoming some of the best athletes in the country.
It is the biggest Ironman competition in the country. Athletes travel near and far just to participate.
This competition will put its athletes through a variety of challenges just over 70 miles.
It will start with a mile swim in the Savannah River, a 56-mile bike route and wrap up with a 13-mile run all the way to the finish line.
The bike route takes you through downtown and finishes next to the James Brown Statue.
As of this morning, the Ironman website says, the average air temperature is 80 degrees, and the average temp. of the water is 73.
Their athlete guide, urges participants to be safe, be mindful of underwater hazards, rip currents, and staying out of traffic during the bike race.
I spoke with Ironman Director; Troy Fitzgerald and he says that he’s excited about the upcoming weekend.
“I’ve been planning this thing almost year-round with the Augusta Sports Council who are great to work with. I’m super excited,” said Fitzgerald.
This year the event is expecting over 2,000 participants.
There are some new changes to the event, the swim will be starting at SRP park this year.
Starting Sunday, no parking from 4 a.m. until 6pm will begin for the following roads:
No parking from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday:
- Broad Street from East Boundary to 13th Street, including center parking bays.
- Reynolds Street from East Boundary to Bay Street.
- Eighth Street from Reynolds Street to Broad Street.
Roads affected by the bike route:
- Reynolds and Greene streets: 7:20-10:15 a.m.
- Fifth Street: 7:20-10:15 a.m.
- Gordon Highway: 7:20-10:30 a.m.
- Gordon Highway flyover: 7:20-10:30 a.m.
- Mike Padgett Highway: 7:20 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Old Waynesboro Road: 7:30-11:45 a.m.
- McDade Road: 7:40-11:15 a.m.
- Brown Road: 7:45-11:20 a.m.
- McCombs Road: 8 a.m. to noon
- Broome Road: 8 a.m. to noon
- Hephzibah-McBean Road: 8:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Horseshoe Road: 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- 4-H Club Road: 8:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
- Doug Barnard Parkway to Gordon Highway: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Gordon Highway and Taylor: 9 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.
- Taylor and Fourth Street: 9 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.
- Watkins Street and East Boundary: 9:05 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
- Sand Bar Ferry Road: 9:05 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Roads affected by the run course:
- Broad Street from east from 13th Street to East Boundary: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Broad Street west from East Boundary to 12th Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- East Boundary south from Reynolds Street to Greene Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Greene Street east from East Boundary to 13th Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 13th Street north from Greene Street to Broad Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 12th Street from Broad Street to Jones Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jones Street from 12th Street to 10th Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 10th Street from Jones Street to Reynolds Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Eighth Street from Reynolds Street to Broad Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Reynolds Street from 10th Street to Bay Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bay Street from Reynolds Street to Reynolds Street: 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are interested in participating in this event next year. The application will open next month.
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