A NUMBER of roads will be closed around Weymouth and surrounding areas as Ironman returns after a two-year absence.
More than 2,300 athletes are set to race across three endurance disciplines on Sunday (September 19) as part of the Ironman 70.3.
The annual endurance event traditionally attracts hundreds of fundraising athletes and draws in thousands of spectators who line the streets.
As with every year, there will be a number of roads closed to allow the event to safely go ahead.
Some road closures will be in place from as early as 4am, with any remaining road closures expected to be lifted at around 2pm.
What roads are closed and when?
This is when road closures will be in place and from when:
- B3143 closed from 7.30am - 12pm
- Gales Hill closed from 8am - 1.30pm
- Westleaze closed from 8.30am - 1.30pm
- A352 closed 8.30am - 1.30pm
- Chalky Road closed 8.30am - 1.45pm
- Littlemoor Road closed eastbound 6.30am - 1.45pm
- B3155 closed 6.30am - 2pm
- B3155 (Greenhill) closed 4am - 6pm
- A353 closed 6.30am - 10.15am
- B3390 closed 7am - 10.30am
- Warmwell Road closed 7am - 10.30am
- Redbridge Road closed 7am - 10.45am
- Pallington Lakes Road and Ilsington Road closed 7am - 11am
- Rhododendron mile and Two Droves closed 7.30 - 11.15am
What is the route?
The map, which can be seen above, details the length and layout of each stage of the course.
The one-loop 56 mile bike course consists of one anti-clockwise loop through the rolling Dorset Countryside up North to King's Stag and back to Weymouth via the towns of Godmanstone and Dorchester.
The two and a half loop 13.1 mile (21.1 km) run course begins with a run from Lodmoor Country Park to the finish area, along Weymouth's esplanade. This provides a spectator friendly run course with support from family and friends.
The one-loop 1.9 km (1.2 mile) swim course is composed of one clockwise lap in a triangle layout. Swim straight out away from Weymouth's beach and two right turns later swimmers will be headed back to transition.
What organisers say about impact on traffic during event
A spokesman for the event said that residents are told well in advance of the competition about the road closures so residents can plan ahead.
He said: "IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth have produced road closure maps with information for local residents to be aware of the safety closures which take place on the Sunday morning of the race.
"This should allow residents to plan their travel and minimise any impact from the event on their own plans. This may involve using alternative routes over the event weekend or adjusting journey times slightly."
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