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Clearwater hosts Ironman on Nov. 14
| Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 |
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CLEARWATER The Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championship 2009 is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, with the pro start at 6:45 a.m.
The event is the culmination of more than 30 Ironman 70.3 events around the world, and is made up of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, said Blair LaHaye, director of communications for the World Triathlon Corporation.
Athletes range in age from 18 to nearly 80 years old, he said, including those who are visually impaired, physically challenged and many who have overcome significant adversity, he said. More than 1,600 athletes from all 50 states and more than 50 countries will compete in this years championship, he said.
The event is a competition of mental and physical toughness and puts the city of Clearwater and surrounding areas on the worldwide stage, LaHaye said.
More than 75,000 athletes have vied for a spot on the starting line of the championship, LaHaye said. The qualifying athletes will compete for a total $100,000 purse that will be divided among the top 10 men and women. Athletes must have qualified at one of the global events by placing at the top of their age group to compete in this championship. Athletes generally spend between 15 and 20 hours each week to prepare for this event.
This will be the fourth year of the Ironman 70.3, and it has always taken place in Clearwater as part of a five-year agreement.
Clearwater Beach at Pier 60 will be the hub of activity for people who wish to view the race, LaHaye said, as this is where the swim starts and finishes, and is the transition area as well as the finish line. People may also view course maps at www.ironman.com or watch the race live at www.ironmanlive.com.
Residents are advised to allow extra travel time on race day as well as familiarizing themselves to the course and any related closures.
Areas to avoid:
Coronado Drive at the Clearwater Beach Roundabout, 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Court Street, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Drew Street and Keene Road, 7:15 to 9:30 a.m.
Drew Street and Belcher Road, 7:15 to 10 a.m.
Countryside Boulevard and State Road 580, 7:15 to 9:45 a.m.
McMullen Booth Road and Curlew Road, 7:30 to 11:15 a.m.
McMullen Booth Road and Keystone Road, 8 to 11 a.m.
McMullen Booth Road and Enterprise Road, 8:15 to 11:3 a.m.
McMullen Booth Road and Drew Street, 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.
McMullen Booth Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, 8:30 a.m. to noon
East Bay Drive and Belcher Road, 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Belcher Road and Belleair Road, 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Belcher Road and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard to Clearwater Beach, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Driving tips:
If you live along the east side of Belcher Road, use U.S. 19 as your north-south route.
The median openings along East Lake Road between Tampa Road and Trinity Boulevard will be blocked throughout the duration of the bike portion of the race. For residents west of East Lake Road, travel south on East Lake Road to access Tampa Road. For residents east of East Lake Road, travel north on East Lake Road, turn right on Trinity Boulevard and make a U-turn at the second median opening to go south. Residents living east of East Lake Road may also use East Lake Woodlands Parkway to access Tampa Road.
Traffic traveling south on the McMullen Booth will be unable to use the Bayside Bridge during the race. Cars will be detoured to go west on Drew Street south on U.S. 19. When cars get to Roosevelt Boulevard, exit and make a U-turn under the overpass and go east on Roosevelt Boulevard to get onto 49th Street.
The median openings along East Bay Drive between the Bayside Bridge and Belcher Road will be blocked.
Leave early to allow for extra traffic and lane closures.
The bike course will re-open at 12:30 p.m. and the run course will re-open at 3:30 p.m.
U.S. 19 will be the main north-south route.
Drivers will have to share multi-lane roads with bicyclists.
Parking:
The Pier 60 lot will be closed the week leading up to the event. The Marina lot will close at 5 a.m. on race day. The South Gulfview Boulevard lot and the Sand Key lots are open all week. Volunteers and spectators may park in downtown Clearwater and take the shuttles. Downtown parking includes City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Ave.; Pinellas County Court House Lot, corner of Chestnut Street and Oak Avenue; Garden Avenue Garage, 28 N. Garden Ave.; and the Municipal Services Garage, 100 S. Myrtle Ave.
Shuttles:
Shuttles will run continuously from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race day from the following locations:
Municipal Services Garage, East Avenue and Pierce Street
Pinellas County Court House, corner of Chestnut Street and Oak Avenue
Garden Avenue Garage, 28 N. Garden St.
Oak Avenue Lot, corner of Chestnut Street and Oak Avenue
Fort Harrison Avenue Lot, corner of Chestnut Street and Osceola Avenue
Sand Key Park
Hamden Drive and Devon Drive
For more information, visit www.myclearwater.com.
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Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009
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