Ironman triathlon to cause numerous street closures in Tempe this weekend
Oct 16, 2020, 4:25 AM
Streets will be closed in the Tempe Town Lake area on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — The 2020 Ironman 70.3 Arizona triathlon will be taking place in Tempe this weekend, which means street closures, restrictions and bus detours galore.
The 70.3-mile event will consist of a 1.2-mile swim around Tempe Town Lake, a 56-mile bike ride around the north part of the city and finish with a 13.1-mile run.
The race starts at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday at Tempe Beach Park and will conclude at 4:30 p.m., with the first finisher expected to cross the finish line around 11 a.m.
A complete list of street closures, restrictions and bus detours can be found online.
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ironman has developed a “safe return to racing” plan in order to align with local public health mitigation measures used to combat the spread of the virus.
Prior to the race, both athletes and volunteers will be required to answer a health questionnaire in addition to no-touch body temperature screening during Saturday’s registration/expo.
Those with a body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted to race, volunteer or work.
Additionally, all volunteers and workers must wear a facial covering properly over the duration of the two-day event. Athletes will be given face coverings during Saturday’s packet pickup and will be required to wear it around all event venues.
During the race, athletes and supporting personnel will be less densely packed together in order to increase social distancing measures by spreading out in areas such as the swim start, transition and finish line.
Nonessential race services and functions, such as banquets and award ceremonies, will be either be modified or eliminated.
“Touchpoints” — or points of interaction between staff, athletes and volunteers — will also either be reduced or removed, but without compromising the event’s safety or security by reconfiguring areas such as aid stations.
Through Ironman’s Athlete Smart program, racers are being asked to judge their personal level of self-reliance to minimize interaction at touchpoints with race officials and volunteers.
Athletes are being encouraged to use hydration vests while also carrying additional nutrition and hydration.
More information on Sunday’s 70.3-mile triathlon in Tempe can be found on Ironman’s website.
