After being canceled in 2020, IRONMAN 70.3 is set to return Sunday with athletes competing in three different events over the course of the day.
About 3,600 athletes are expected to participate in the grueling competition that includes a 1.2-mile swim down current in the Savannah River, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile for a total of 70.3 miles to complete the race, according to a news release.
Portions of Augusta will be blocked off during the day for the safety of the athletes.
“The first group of cyclists will take the route at approximately 7:20 a.m. Organizers anticipate all roads to be clear by 3:00 p.m. The cyclists will start on Greene Street. They will turn onto 5th Street then merge onto Gordon Highway to begin the trek to south Augusta. Roads along the cycling route will be open to traffic. Major intersections will be monitored by law enforcement officers,” according to a news release.
Race officials expect the fastest athletes to begin the running portion of IRONMAN 7.3 by 9 a.m.
“According to the race cut-off time, runners must be off the course by 6:00 p.m. On Greene and Reynolds Streets, one lane of traffic along the route will be designated for the race, with cones marking the circuit. Broad Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 13th Street to East Boundary. Motorists are encouraged to park on streets not affected by the racecourse,” the news release continued.
The Augusta Players sent out an email concerning parking and how it affects patrons to Sunday’s performance of “Young Frankenstein” at the Imperial Theatre.
The Augusta Sports Council will offer shuttles to patrons who are senior citizens or those in need of handicapped access or in need or assistance from the St. John United Methodist Church parking lot before and after the show.
The IRONMAN 70.3 has generated more $25 million to impact the city of Augusta since its inception in 2009, according to the sports council’s website. And the IRONMAN Foundation has awarded $143,943 in grants to 130 non-profit organizations in the Augusta area.
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