Neighbors, Please take note and make your plans for Sunday, June 2, accordingly. Will William A. Allen III 919-349-6566 Mobile _____ news release header <http://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/NCRALEIGH/2012/02/719 58/newpubaffheader-default_original.png> 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." <https://admin.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/NCRALEIGH/2012/02/72 328/footersemail-01_original.png> <http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkP TIwMTMwNTI4LjE5MjY5OTcxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDEzMDUyOC4xOTI2OTk3M SZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NTg3MjQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9d2lsbEBhbGxlbmhldWVyL mNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9d2lsbEBhbGxlbmhldWVyLmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9J iYm&&&102&&&http://www.raleighnc.gov> City of Raleigh . 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