Expect delays: Bay County to host 2024 Visit PCB IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast on May 11
PANAMA CITY BEACH − Waves of athletes are scheduled to soon crash on the Beach for the 2024 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast.
According to Ben Rausa, race director, about 1,800 athletes are registered for the event, which will be held in Panama City Beach on May 11. It boasts a 1.2-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run along local roads.
"We can't do this without the support of the community, and the support of our volunteers within the community," Rausa said. "It's a huge undertaking, and we try and fit it in the community as well as we can without impacting our local residents and businesses. We hope to drive business sales and get people to come back and visit."
Rausa said the event, which is in its 42nd year, experienced a slight dip in participants following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but its numbers have continued to increase every year since.
Though the race is known to garner competitors from across the world, the majority of them are from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
"We're slowly but surely getting back to our pre-COVID days," Rausa said. "The numbers are increasing as we move forward. ... We're learning as we go, (and) it's going really well."
He also said that compared to other IRONMAN events, the 70.3 Gulf Coast boasts a "friendly" and flat course that makes for good times.
"Every one is different." Rausa said of IRONMAN races. "We have different landscapes to deal with, but (with) this one, we have a one-lap bike course, which is very favorable to athletes. ... That (also) makes it easy for us out in the community. We're able to close the bike course very early in this race.
"Our run course is three laps. For the athletes, it's much more spectator friendly. You can stand in one spot and see your athlete three or four times and still meet them at the finish line."
In preparation for the event and the increase in visitors it will bring to the area, Visit PCB mailed a traffic advisory to Beach residents that outlines roads that will be impacted during the event. They are:
Front Beach Road near the Edgewater property from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Middle Beach Road from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road near West Pier Park Drive from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Pier Park Drive from 6 to 9 a.m.
Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway near Fairway Circle from 6 to 10 a.m.
Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway near State 79 from 6 to 10 a.m.
State 79 North near West Bay Bridge from 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North near State 388 from 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North near Latitude Margaritaville Watersound from 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 North near Vinson Road from 6 to 9 a.m.
State 79 South near Pine Log Road from 6 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South near Steel Field Road from 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South near Latitude Margaritaville Watersound from 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South near State 388 from 7 to 10 a.m.
State 79 South near Gayle's Trail from 8 to 10 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Ashley Drive from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Downing Street from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Wild Heron from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Front Beach Road from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Camp Helen State Park entrance from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Camp Helen State Park exit from 8 to 11 a.m.
Panama City Beach Parkway near Front Beach Road from 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road near Laguna Beach from 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road near South Arnold Road roundabout from 8 to 11 a.m.
Front Beach Road near Hills Road from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Middle Beach Road merge from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Lyndell lane from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Middle Beach Road near Edgewater exit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road near Grand Panama from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road near Alf Coleman Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Middle Beach Road near Clara Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Dogwood Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Clara Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Alf Coleman Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Grand Panama from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front Beach Road near Richard Jackson Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Richard Jackson Boulevard near Edgewater entrance from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Looking back: Expect traffic delays: 2,500 IRONMAN triathletes taking over Bay County's roads on Saturday
"With so many other events, it's (another) introduction to a community," Rausa said of the local tourism benefits of the race. "It's an introduction to a area, (and) we hope they come back. ... The influx of tourism brings the community up so much. It's a very appealing place to come, and our Panhandle is a beautiful place."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County gearing up for 2024 Visit PCB IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast
