Over 2,500 athletes, along with thousands more of fans and supporters, will be in Chattanooga and North Georgia for Sunday's Ironman competition.
The competitors will first swim 2.4 miles in the Tennessee River before biking 112 miles (56 miles each way) and running a 26.2-mile (two and a half loops downtown, the Southside and the North Shore) marathon.
The bicycle course extends through Chattanooga Valley into scenic McLemore's Cove.
This is the 11th race of the Ironman U.S. Series.
Chattanooga will furnish 50 slots to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
The event, sponsored by Little Debbie, will benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
The Ironkids Fun Run will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ross's Landing. Children will participate in either a ¼-mile, ½-mile, or 1-mile run course, depending on their age.
The event offers a total professional prize purse of $25,000.
The City Transportation Department announced the following road closures for the Ironman beginning on Wednesday.
Riverside Drive/Riverfront Parkway between Aquarium Way and Molly Street, Chestnut Street between Aquarium Way and Riverfront Parkway, and the southbound Veterans Bridge ramp to Riverside Drive will be closed from 9 a.m. on Wednesday, until 3 p.m. on Monday, for the IRONMAN setup and race.
The right eastbound lane of Riverfront Parkway and West 20th Street between Molly Lane and Market Street, the right southbound lane of Market Street between West 20th Street and West 40th Street, and the I-24 on and off ramps at Market Street will be closed and all streets crossing this route will be controlled by CPD officers. The intersection of St Elmo Avenue at West 55th Street will be a four-way stop from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, for the IRONMAN bike portion. Cyclists will also be on West 40th Street and Tennessee Avenue to the state line and riding with traffic.
The right eastbound lane of Frazier Avenue between Forest Avenue and the Veterans Bridge, the right northbound lane of Barton Avenue between Frazier avenue and Dorchester Road, the right northbound lane of Hixson Pike between Barton Avenue and Riverview Road, the right northbound lane of the Veterans Bridge between East 4th Street and Barton Avenue, the right southbound lane of Lindsay Street between Riverside Drive and West 4th Street, the right westbound lane of West 4th Street between Lindsay Street and the Veterans Bridge, the right westbound lane of Amnicola Highway and Riverside Drive between Riverport Road and Lindsay Street, Riverside Drive between Lindsay Street and Molly Lane, the Battery Place off ramp from Riverside Drive, Aquarium Way between Riverside Drive and Walnut Street, West 3rd Street between Lindsay Street and High Street will be closed and all streets crossing this route will be controlled by CPD officers to give right-of-way to the runners from 5 a.m. on Sunday, until 1 a.m. on Monday, for the IRONMAN run portion. Runners will also be on Riverview Road between Hixson Pike and Barton Avenue running in the opposing traffic lane.
In order to view a map of these closures, visit http://www.chattanooga.gov/transportation/traffic-engineering-a-operations/special-events-a-street-closures.