WILMINGTON — This weekend around 7,000 visitors are expected to descend on the greater Wilmington area, more than half representing triathletes in the annual Ironman race.
The triathlon takes place on Saturday, Oct. 21. 2023’s Ironman 70.3 starts at Wrightsville Beach and ends at Riverfront Park in downtown Wilmington. Athletes participate in a 1.2-mile swim course in a channel connected to the Intracoastal Waterway, followed by a 56-mile bike course from the beach to the rural countryside in Pender County.
Riders cross the Cape Fear River to get back to downtown Wilmington to participate in the final 13.1-mile running leg. This portion includes spectator-friendly watching areas. Athletes run to Greenfield Lake and return to historic downtown to cross the finish line at Riverfront Park. Course maps can be accessed here.
Multiple areas across town will face detours and traffic delays. Drivers shoulduse alternate routes when possible.
Here are roads the race will impact across town:
Friday, Oct. 20:
- Closed 8 a.m. on Oct. 20 until 5 p.m. through Oct. 21 — Hanover St. between N. Front and N. Second streets
- Closed 8 a.m. on Oct. 20 until 5 p.m. through Oct. 21 — N. Second from Brunswick to Hanover streets
Saturday, Oct. 21 Bike Course:
- Closed 5:15 a.m. – 10 a.m. — Causeway Drive from Waynick Boulevard at Wrightsville Beach to the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge; motorists should use Lumina Avenue to Salisbury Street.
- Closed 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — All roads intersecting Eastwood (eastbound) and MLK (eastbound), except Market Street and College Road
- Closed 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Hwy 76 to 421 (northbound) traffic will be detoured to 2nd exit ramp eastbound off Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, then to the on-ramp and over the bridge to 421
- Expect delays 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads intersection; College Road (southbound) from MLK to Racine Drive; Market Street (eastbound) from College Road to MLK; and MLK (eastbound) from MacRae Street to College Road, though one lane will be open
- Expect delays, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Hwy 421 (north and southbound) to I-140 Isabel Holmes
- Expect delays, 8 a.m. – noon — Hwy 210 West from 421 to Brinson Road local traffic only in Pender County
- Expect delays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Hwy 421 from 210 to Hwy 53 in Pender County
Saturday, Oct. 21 Run Course:
- Closed 3 a.m. – 5 p.m. — N. Second from N. Front streets to Hanover Street; Brunswick Street from Third to N. Front streets
- Closed 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Hanover Street from N. Front to Nutt streets; Front Street (southbound) from N. Third to Red Cross streets
- Closed 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Red Cross Street from N. Front Street to N Water Street
- Closed 8:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Front Street (southbound) from Red Cross to Greenfield streets; S. Front Street (northbound) from S. Third/Burnette streets to Dawson Street; Greenfield Street from S. Front Street to S. Fifth Avenue; and S. Third Street (southbound) at Wooster Street. Westbound access to Water Street will be open at cross streets along Front Street unless otherwise mentioned.
“North Carolina has continued to be a sought-after destination on the Ironman 70.3 circuit and the demand from our athletes to come race in this beautiful region showcases how special this unique area is,” Scott Langen, regional director for The Ironman Group, said in a press release.
The 40 age group of will have qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon on Dec. 14 and 15, 2024, taking place Taupō, New Zealand.
Athletes can pick up their packets at the Wilmington Convention Center on Friday, Oct. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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