County is all set to go for IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire

Athletes are making final preparations for this Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire whilst residents are being reminded of road closures during the day.

With warm temperatures expected, both participants and spectators are being urged to take care, stay hydrated and apply sunscreen.

Thousands of athletes from across the world will be taking part in the triathlon event. They will undertake a 1.2-mile reservoir swim at Chasewater Country Park, a meandering 56-mile bike course through the heart of the Staffordshire countryside and Cannock Chase AONB, and a 13.1-mile run around Stafford which takes in Stafford Castle.

The event is a collaboration between Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire, Stafford Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.

The bike route will start at Chasewater before heading north of Burntwood and Lichfield, through Kings Bromley and Yoxall and then head towards Draycott-in-the-Clay. The route then turns west and south past Bagot’s Wood and Admaston towards Rugeley. Cyclists will turn onto Bower Lane, around roads on Cannock Chase and back before heading to Wolseley Bridge and into Stafford via Tixall.

Roads in Stafford affected include Tixall Road, Blackheath Lane, Dartmouth Street, Fairway and roads around the town centre. Riverway will remain open this year, though South Walls will be closed from Friday until Sunday.

This year’s run will finish on South Walls due to the refurbishment work taking place in Stafford’s Market Square.

There are lots of great places people can watch the day’s exciting events. Spectator hotpots include Chasewater Country Park, Stafford town centre and Stafford Castle.

For full details on all road closures and spectator information visit the IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire website.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, Philip White, said:

“It’s fantastic to see IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire here in the county this weekend and with thousands of athletes taking part. It always gives us an opportunity to showcase Staffordshire to visitors from across the UK and the world.

“We want to make a final reminder to residents and businesses about the temporary road closures. All details are on the IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire website. And we’d urge participants and spectators to take care in the warm weather.

“We hope plenty of people turn out to enjoy the event and look forward to welcoming athletes, their families and friends to Staffordshire.”