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Jayne
Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs
Prepared
by: David Blount, Public Affairs Specialist
May 28,
2013
For
more information: Contact Brian Myrick, Race Director, 864-404-8389
Ironman 70.3 Triathlon
to Impact Traffic Across Raleigh
Road
races across Raleigh
are a common occurrence almost every weekend. From 5K races through Downtown
Raleigh to marathons that involve sprints through Umstead Park,
every section of the City is used to the site of groups of runners competing.
As well as fostering a competitive spirit and offering great athletic
opportunities, the races generate considerable income from hotel visits and
meals eaten in local restaurants by out-of-towners.
On June
2, however, a unique race will be coming to the Triangle. The Ironman 70.3
Raleigh will be taking place in Chatham
and Wake counties. More than 2,700 people have registered for the event. The
age of the registrants ranges from 18 years to 76 year old. Fifteen countries
will be represented. More than 1,300 of the racers will be from North Carolina with
more than 1,000 coming from 43 different states. The top 50 performers will
qualify for the Ironman 70.3 world championship in Nevada.
“Having
Ironman come to Raleigh
is a thrill,” said Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane. “It is such a positive
event. While the economic impact is significant, we shouldn’t overlook the
opportunity to share Raleigh
with the participants from 15 countries and 43 states, and from teenagers to
those in retirement. What a fabulous way to showcase our great city while
making friends with a diverse group of enthusiastic athletes.”
Ironman
competitions feature a race combining swimming, bicycling, and running. The
Ironman 70.3 Raleigh race will begin at 7 a.m. at Jordan Lake
with a 1.2 mile swim. After completing the swim, the racers will then begin a
56-mile bike race that will carry them into Downtown Raleigh. The riders will
enter Raleigh’s
city limits on Lake Wheeler Road
at Tryon Road.
They will travel north and then turn left on South Saunders Street and then turn
right on South Street.
A transition area will be in place between Salisbury Street and Wilmington Street for the final leg – a
13.1 mile half-marathon.
The
runners will:
- Turn left on South Wilmington Street (in
the left lane);Turn left on Edenton
Street;
- Turn left on South Salisbury Street;
- Turn right on Hillsborough Street;
- Turn right into main entrance of Meredith College;
- Turn around in front of Administration Building;
- Turn right onto the greenway trail;
- Follow the greenway trail around Meredith College and cross I-440 using the
pedestrian bridge;
- Make a u-turn at a designated point on the
grounds of the North
Carolina Art Museum;
- Turn right on the main drive at Meredith College;
- Turn left on Hillsborough Street;Turn right on Salisbury Street;
- Turn left on Morgan Street;
- Turn right on Fayetteville Street and then
finish in front of the Marriott Hotel.
Police
will be present to direct traffic along the route. The race is expected to
impact traffic in Raleigh
from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“This
is a tremendous event for the City of Raleigh
and the entire region,” said Scott Dupree, executive director of the Greater
Raleigh Sports Alliance. “Ironman is one of the most well-respected and
highly-regarded brands in the sports event industry, with a long track record
of staging successful and well-run events all over the world. This marks the
first time an Ironman event has ever been held in the Carolinas, and we are
thrilled to host it right here in Raleigh.”
Mr.
Dupree added that the economic impact on the Triangle will be significant.
More than 5,000 visitors are expected.
“Those
visitors will generate more than $2 million in direct visitor spending and
4,500 hotel room nights, while also enjoying our restaurants along with all
of the visitor and cultural attractions that Raleigh has to offer,” he said. “The
branding component should not be overlooked. Greater Raleigh is on a pretty good roll in terms
of positioning itself as a premier destination city for major events. It
started with NHL All-Star Weekend in 2011, and now in succession we are
preparing for Ironman and the International Bluegrass Music Association in
2013, followed by the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the Rock ‘n’ Roll
Raleigh Marathon in 2014. And more specifically, Ironman helps to brand Raleigh as a healthy,
active destination on an international level.”
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This email was sent to
will@allenheuer.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: City of Raleigh · 222
West Hargett St · Raleigh, NC 27601
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