The Ironman 70.3 Oregon endurance competition is making a highly-anticipated return to Salem for its fourth iteration of the annual event on Sunday.

Widely considered one of the fastest courses on the Ironman circuit, the Ironman features a 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. Last year, Lionel Sanders won the men’s pro division in 3 hours, 33 minutes 37 seconds. Danielle Lewis won the pro women’s division in 3:59:41.

Once again, this year’s event has sold out and is expected to draw more than 2,500 athletes and supporters to Salem. It will offer age group qualifying slots to the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in November 2025 in Marbella, Spain.

Travel Salem is the main host of the event, along with City of Salem, Travel Oregon, the Willamette Valley Visitors Association, and Sport Oregon. It estimates that Ironman 70.3 Oregon will generate approximately $11 million in economic impact for the Salem area.

The race begins at 6 a.m. Sunday and is expected to wrap up around 4:30 p.m.

The race begins with the 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River, a 56-mile bike ride from River Road S. toward the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, and finishes with a 13.1-mile run through Salem’s Minto-Brown Island Park.

Road closures and traffic information for Ironman 70.3 Oregon

For the majority of the event, several road closures will be in effect throughout the race course. According to City of Salem officials, residents along the race course will receive information about these changes, and signs will be posted to alert drivers to potential traffic disruptions throughout the day.

• Vehicles traveling between Salem and Independence on River Road South should use alternate routes between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. as the road will be impacted by the event.
• Street reopening: Roads will reopen for normal use once the street portion of the bicycle race is completed.

Lane restrictions and road closures set for 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

• Front Street SE to Trade Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic.
• Commercial Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic.
• Mission Street (Commercial Street to Saginaw Street S): Local traffic only.
• Saginaw Street S (Mission Street to Owens Street): Local traffic only.
• Owens Street to River Road South: Local traffic only.
• River Road South to Ankeny Nature Preserve: Local traffic only.

Park closures in Salem for Ironman 70.3 Oregon

Riverfront Park, Minto-Brown Island Park, and Wallace Marine Park will remain open during the event. But access and parking will be limited.

• Riverfront Park Boat Dock — closed from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Wallace Marine Boat Dock — closed from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge — closed to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney

A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 8:27 p.m. for gusty showers until 9:15 p.m. for Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, John Day Basin, Ochoco-John Day Highlands, Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades, North Central Oregon and Central Oregon.

Residents can be ready for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 8:27 p.m., Doppler radar tracked gusty showers along a line extending from Warm Springs Reservation to 6 miles southwest of Ashwood to Mitchell. Movement was north at 40 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”

Locations impacted by the alert include Madras, Fossil, Mitchell, Antelope, Shaniko, Ashwood, Warm Springs Reservation, Kinzua, Warm Springs, Clarno, Service Creek, Gateway, South Junction, Willowdale and Simnasho.

The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Rainy day rules: How to stay safe in heavy precipitation

Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:

Beware of swollen waterways:

• Do not play in or around culverts or drainage ditches as swiftly moving water that occurs during heavy rain can sweep you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and stay cautious:

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Visibility matters:

• Turn on your headlights.
• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

Watch out for slippery roads:

• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Bend state Senator Tim Knopp says: ‘He was fair, kind, and brought people together.’

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who retired last year as the longest-serving legislator in Oregon history, has died from complications from cancer, Gov. Tina Kotek’s office announced. He was 81.

Courtney died Tuesday morning at his home in Salem, surrounded by family, according to Kotek’s office. 

Here’s her full news release, as well as ones from several lawmakers who knew him:

Governor Kotek Issues Statement in Response To Passing of Former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney

Salem, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced the passing of former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney. He passed this morning from complications related to cancer at his home in Salem surrounded by his family. Courtney was the longest-serving legislator in Oregon history, having served 14 years in the house and 24 years in the Senate. He served a record 20 years as Senate President before retiring in January 2023.

“It is with incredible sadness that I share the news today of the passing of Peter Michael Coleman Courtney, the former President of the Oregon State Senate and longest-serving state legislator in Oregon history. The First Lady and I ask that Oregonians hold Peter’s family – his wife Margie, their children, and grandchildren – in their hearts and prayers.

“President Courtney was a friend and ally in supporting an Oregon where everyone can find success and community. His life story, the way he embraced Oregon and public service, and his love for the institution of the Oregon Legislature leaves a legacy that will live on for decades.

“He led through times of prosperity and times of struggle – including the great recession and the COVID-19 pandemic – with a steadfast commitment to protecting people and making their lives better. His tenure in the legislature is marked by incredible triumphs, earned through his genuine statesmanship and enormous heart.

“I want to recognize President Courtney for being one of the most important architects of our state in recent memory. At his core, Peter believed that we need to take care of each other, live with compassion for our neighbors, and get big things done, together. These Oregon values will live on in his name.”

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Angel. Donations in remembrance can be made to the Salem Withnell Family YMCA or Family Building Blocks.

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Knopp: ‘Farewell to My Friend, Oregon Political Legend, Senate President Peter Courtney’

BEND, Ore. – Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend) issued a statement today on the passing of former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney.

“Having received the news that Oregon has lost one of its finest today hits hard. He is irreplaceable and will be missed. When I attended the renaming ceremony recognizing his impressive impact on just one Oregon institution, it was a reminder of just how much Peter Courtney has done to improve the lives of Oregonians.

“It was an honor to serve with Peter Courtney in the Oregon Senate. He was one of the most impactful elected officials Oregon has ever had. He dedicated four decades of his life serving Oregonians and the institution he loved, respected, and protected. Most importantly, Peter had a heart for and cared about people. He was notorious for calling his colleagues to check on them when significant things happened in our lives.

“He was the most formidable leader I have had the privilege to work with. He was fair, kind, and brought people together. He tried to make sure all Oregonians’ voices were heard.

He loved Margie, his sons, and their families as he talked about them often. Any conversation of length with Peter would include how proud he was of them. Farewell to my friend, Oregon political legend, Peter Courtney.”

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Senate President Wagner Statement on Passing of Peter Courtney

SALEM, Ore. – Today, former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney passed away at the age of 81, according to his family. 

Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) is releasing the following statement:

Today, I share the heartbreak of countless Oregonians as we all mourn the loss of the most influential lawmaker in the history of Oregon.

Peter Michael Coleman Courtney was a legend — larger than life, with a passion for helping Oregonians all across the state, and especially in his beloved city of Salem. The sounds of the Capitol were never complete without Peter’s voice reverberating through the halls. He was bold and hard-charging, but also tender and caring, always looking for private moments to help a young lawmaker find their way.

His legacy is typified by his dedication to the humane care of animals and for the well-being of children and those who struggle with mental health. But his legacy is more than policy — it is a spirit of governing that he brought to Oregon. 

Bringing his talent for public speaking from “West by God Virginia,” Peter’s true home will always be here in “Oregon, My Oregon,” the Oregon Capitol, and especially the Oregon Senate.

Peter loved stories of the Oregon Trail — and the sun will never set on his legacy. My thoughts are with his wife Margie and his sons and everyone who knew and loved Peter.

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Speaker Fahey Remembers Peter Courtney, A True Legend of Oregon Public Service

SALEM, Ore. – Today, House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) issued the following statement following news of the passing of Peter Courtney, the longest serving legislator in Oregon’s history: 

“Peter Courtney set the standard for what it means to be a true champion for the state of Oregon and its people. His passion for our state was clear no matter where he was or what office he served in – as a Salem City Councilor, as a member of the Oregon House, or as Senate President. 

In the legislature, we came to know Peter as someone who worked to do the most good for as many people as possible. Among his accomplishments include passing the Student Success Act that increased funding for K-12 education in Oregon, modernizing the legislature to meet more regularly, and beginning the legislature’s needed investments in mental health.

Peter cared deeply for the state of Oregon and for the city of Salem that he represented. He also cared deeply for the legislature as an institution and as a cornerstone of our democracy. In a time when we’re seeing an erosion of trust in government and in institutions more broadly, my hope is that Peter’s legacy can remind us all of the importance and significance of our work and of coming together to best serve the interests of our constituents.”

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Senate Majority Leader Kathleen Taylor on the Passing of Senate President Peter Courtney

SALEM, OR – In honor of the incredible life and legacy of former Senate President Peter Courtney, Senate Majority Leader Kathleen Taylor (D – SE Portland, Milwaukie & Oak Grove) released the following statement:

“Peter Courtney epitomized the idea of a life lived in public service. He was fiercely devoted to serving his constituents, the institution of the Senate, and Oregon as a whole. He will live on in the people and communities he transformed for the better – and I am so lucky to count myself as one of them. For ten years, I was honored to call Peter a mentor and a friend. 

“Today, I’m thinking about his wife Margie and their wonderful family. Even with all the pressures of his public life, I know that they were always Peter’s number one priority. His dedication to family was an inspiration to me, and I’m holding my loved ones a little tighter today in his memory.”

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Leader Daniel Bonham Honors the Legacy of Former Senate President Peter Courtney

SALEM, Ore. – Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) issued a statement today on the passing of former Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of former Senate President Peter Courtney. Peter dedicated his life to public service and the people of Oregon, leaving a lasting mark on our state’s history. His legislative achievements have made an impact that will be felt for generations to come,” said Leader Bonham.

Peter Courtney’s career in the Oregon Legislature spanned nearly four decades, during which he was known for his unwavering commitment to bipartisanship and his ability to bring people together. His leadership style, characterized by kindness and a deep sense of duty, set a high standard for all who follow in his footsteps.

In his final remarks to the Senate, Peter reminded his colleagues of the importance of civility, stating, “Let us be civil to one another. Let us debate with respect and listen with open hearts.” These words encapsulate the essence of his approach to governance and his belief in the power of respectful discourse, an important reminder now more than ever.

Bonham continued, “Beyond his legislative achievements, Peter was a mentor, a friend, and a true statesman. His wisdom, compassion, and sense of humor were cherished by those who had the privilege to work with him. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Peter’s family, friends, and loved ones. We honor his legacy and will strive to continue his work with the same spirit of civility he exemplified throughout his career.”

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House Majority Leader Ben Bowman Releases Statement Honoring Former Senate President Peter Courtney

SALEM, OR – Today, House Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D – Tigard, Metzger, & S. Beaverton) issued the following statement following the passing of former Senate President Peter Courtney:

“Peter Courtney was a giant in Oregon politics. His legacy on behavioral health, public education, animal welfare, and more will outlive him and be felt by Oregonians for generations.

My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

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Helfrich Statement on Passing of former Senate President Peter Courtney

SALEM, Ore. – In response to news of former Senate President Peter Courtney’s passing, Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich issued the following statement:

“For nearly half a century, Senate President Peter Courtney served with distinction. He was a true statesman. It is an understatement to say that without his leadership, Oregon would be a profoundly different state. Today we lost a giant of the legislature, my thoughts are with his friends and family.”