ST. GEORGE — The 2024 Intermountain Health Ironman 70.3 North American Championship returns to Washington County the first weekend of May with thousands of professional and amateur athletes and their supporters and the many road closures and traffic impacts that accompany the event.
“We’ve all been through this before and we know the benefits of this event,” St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell said as she spoke to St. George News about the pending, yet not unfamiliar impact to travel on race day.
While the numbers of race participants, supporters and spectators will likely grow by some degree, she said impacts and closures related to the Saturday, May 4 race will be much the same as in previous years.
“We get the same influx of people – just more cyclists, more runners on the road, more people to observe,” Mitchell said. “More people on the road just like in years passed … It’s just another year.”
Watch out athletes before and on race day
Leading up to the Ironman 70.3 will be many athletes training for the event in various parts of the county, and motorists need to be mindful of that, Mitchell said.
In the case of cyclists, she said drivers need to slowdown when they pass them and give them the required 3-feet of space as they go by. Motorists also need to be aware that cyclists and runners could be around a bend in the road ahead of them as well.
Cyclists also need to ride in a predictable manner so they can be more easily seen and obey the traffic laws that apply to them as well, Mitchell added. They also need to stay on the side of the road. However, if that is not possible for some reason, they do have the right to ride in the traffic lane, she said.
“Be cautious when you’re out and about,” she said.
While the Ironman 70.3 race ends in downtown St. George, Mitchell stressed that drivers need to remember the race is hosted across the county as well.
“It’s not just St. George,” she said. “Hurricane’s involved, Washington’s involved, Sand Hollow is involved. Realize they (the athletes) could be training anywhere in the county.”
The 70.3-mile race course includes swimming, cycling and running. While the swimming portion starts the race at Sand Hollow State Park, the remainder takes place on some of the county’s roadways as it cuts through parts of Hurricane, Washington City, St. George, Ivins and Snow Canyon State Park before finishing at Town Square Park in downtown St. George.
“We’re just got to learn to share the road and be patient.” Mitchell said.
Getting around on race day
To help the event run smoothly, agencies like the St. George Police Department, the Utah Department of Transportation and others have continued to work with the Ironman Group and the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office to coordinate efforts and information regarding the traffic impacts the returning triathlon brings.
“There’s (going to be) a lot of signage out there, so be aware of that,” Mitchell said. “If you want to know ahead of time, Greater Zion has the links the to the maps for that.”
Hosted on the Greater Zion website (and posted below) is an interactive map highlighting the areas the Ironman 70.3 will pass through. Included is information on where specific traffic impacts will be and the times they are expected the occur on race day. Smaller, bite-size notices highlighting specific communities and roadways are also featured on the website beneath the map.
Additional tips courtesy of Greater Zion:
- Get errands completed on days prior to road closures.
- Plan your route to/from work.
- Expect delays when entering or leaving impacted neighborhoods.
- Reschedule regular deliveries; opt for delivery times other than Saturday.
- Avoid crossing the race route; find alternative through routes.
“If you’re unclear of what road closures are going to effect you go to Greater Zion and look at those maps and figure it out ahead of time so that you’re not frustrated,” Mitchell said.
People with questions and concerns about the traffic impacts can call the IRONMAN helpline at 435-301-7428 or send an email to [email protected].
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