JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ironman athletes will start bright and early Saturday morning in Jacksonville. It’s the first of a three-year deal with Jacksonville to serve as host for one of the most challenging athletic events around.
If you plan on driving around the area on Saturday or down into St. Johns County, there’s a very good possibility that your route will be impacted by the race. Here’s all you need to know and be prepared for Saturday.
The first leg of the Ironman is a 2.4-mile swim in the St. Johns River followed by a 112-mile bike ride that begins in Jacksonville and travels through Ponte Vedra Beach. It ends with a 26.2-mile marathon.
When does it start and end?
First athletes enter the water at 7:30 a.m.
The race ends eight hours after the last athlete enters the water.
The race starts at the Metro Park area and wraps up along the Northbank Riverwalk area.
When will the top athletes cross the line?
The first finishers are expected to start crossing the finish line around 3:20 p.m.
About the field
More than 1,900 athletes are entered for the Ironman. The youngest athletes in the field are 18-year-old Tyler Shaw from Hollister and 18-year-old Amelia Roe from Decorah, Iowa. The oldest athletes are Richard Weinbrandt, 81, from Alta, Wyoming, and 75-year-old Susan Duffy from Jacksonville.
The swimming course of the Ironman
The 112-mile bike course of the Ironman
The marathon map of the Ironman
The road closures and traffic issues
Traffic. Traffic. Traffic. Be prepared for delays all over Jacksonville and down into St. Johns County. News4JAX reporter Sophia Vitello breaks down the road closures to be aware of on Saturday.
Downtown
Acosta Bridge 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prudential Drive 8am to 7 p.m.
Kings Ave. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hogan Street 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Adams Street 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Riverside
Most of the area 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.
San Jose/Baymeadows
Philips Highway 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
University Blvd. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Baymeadows Road 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nocatee/Ponte Vedra
Nocatee Parkway 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
S. Roscoe Blvd. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Solana Road 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A1A Scenic Highway 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mickler Rd. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Valley Ridge Blvd. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
St. Johns County statement on Saturday delays
The bicycle portion of the Ironman will travel through Nocatee Pkwy, Roscoe Blvd, Solana Rd, A1A Scenic Hwy, Mickler Rd and Valley Ridge Blvd at various times.
Expect delays and traffic restrictions throughout the day.
The Nocatee Parkway Flyover will be the only roadway that is fully closed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The primary traffic interruptions in St. Johns County will be from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.