Jenna Bartkovsky
Jacksonville will host its inaugural IRONMAN event this Saturday, drawing over 1,900 participants. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has announced that more than 500 officers will be deployed to ensure the safety of athletes as they swim, cycle, and run through the city.
The demanding triathlon kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with a 2.4-mile swim in the St. Johns River.
Following the swim, competitors will tackle a 112-mile bike course traversing San Marco, the Southside, Nocatee, and Ponte Vedra. The race concludes with a 26.2-mile run through Downtown and Riverside.
Residents should plan for significant traffic delays throughout the day on Saturday and allow extra travel time. For boaters, the section of the St. Johns River between Metropolitan Park and Memorial Park will be closed from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Traffic disruptions will persist along the race routes for the entire day.