Expect traffic delays: 2,500 IRONMAN triathletes taking over Bay County's roads on Saturday
PANAMA CITY BEACH — With the 2022 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlon set to take place Saturday, Bay County residents can expect traffic delays throughout the Beach.
According to Visit Panama City Beach, a number of roads will be used as part of the race course used by 2,500 competitors.
The triathlon boasts a 1.2-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, and a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run along local roads.
"We ask for your cooperation and understanding as you travel around town Saturday," Visit PCB officials said in a pamphlet sent to Beach residents. "The routes were chosen to highlight the various areas that we feel fully showcase the beautiful setting of Panama City Beach. We appreciate your support and ask that you proceed with extreme caution and allow for additional travel time to your destination."
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Roads that will experience traffic delays from the run portion of the IRONMAN include:
Middle Beach Road/Club at Edgewater — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road/Grand Panama Boulevard — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road/Alf Coleman Road — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road/Clara Avenue — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Dogwood Street — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Clara Avenue — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Alf Coleman Road — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Grand Panama Boulevard — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Richard Jackson Boulevard — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Richard Jackson Boulevard/Club at Edgewater — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roads that will experience traffic delays from the bike portion of the IRONMAN include:
Front Beach Road/Club at Edgewater — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Middle Beach Road merge — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road/West Pier Park Drive — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Back Beach Road/Pier Park Drive — 6 to 9 a.m.
Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway/State 79 North — 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North/West Bay Bridge — 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North/State 388 — 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North/Latitude Margaritaville Watersound — 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North/Vinson Road — 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North/Obies Street — 6 to 9 a.m.
State79 South/Steel Field Road — 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South/Latitude Margaritaville Watersound — 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South/State 388 — 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South/Gayle's Trails — 8 to 10 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Ashley Drive — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Downing Street — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Wild Heron Way — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Front Beach Road — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Camp Helen State Park entrance — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Camp Helen State Park exit — 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway/Front Beach Road — 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road/Laguna Beach — 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road/State 79 — 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road/Hills Road — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Middle Beach Road merge — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Lyndell Lane — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road/Club at Edgewater — 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lacee Rudd, spokeswoman for Visit Panama City Beach, said Saturday will mark the 40th edition of the biannual triathlon in Panama City Beach.
Rudd noted that the event has grown dramatically during the years. About 600 people competed in 2016, and about 2,500 people are set to compete Saturday.
"Panama City Beach sets the perfect stage for those athletes chasing their first IRONMAN 70.3 finish line or those more experienced looking for a personal record," Rudd wrote in an email. "This event hosts athletes and their families from all over the world. It is as much of a destination vacation as it is a race."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: IRONMAN triathlon 2022 coming to Panama City Beach, traffic expected
