Preparations in full swing for Saturday's Ironman Triathlon

Ironman staff members work to prepare buoys for the swimming portion of Saturday's triathlon at Northshore Park, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in The Woodlands. Ironman staff members work to prepare buoys for the swimming portion of Saturday's triathlon at Northshore Park, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in The Woodlands. Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Preparations in full swing for Saturday's Ironman Triathlon 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

With only two days until the 2018 Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas triathlon, athletes have been bicycling and running around The Woodlands in preparation for the challenging endurance race set for Saturday.

As athletes prepare for the race, the same holds true for township and race staff, who have been frenetically preparing area roads for the race by placing warning signs about traffic delays and working on other race facilities and amenities.

The Ironman is expected to bring thousands of people to The Woodlands for the North American Championship race which is scheduled for Saturday, April 28.

The Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas routes for the swim, bike and run race have been approved, and it has been the easiest route planning of all the Ironman events to date, said John Powers, assistant general manager for Community Services for The Woodlands Township.

“Due to the success of last year’s race, all governing bodies approved the race route earlier than ever before,” Powers said.

The bike route will start athletes off in The Woodlands and take them out to the Hardy Toll Road for two loops before returning back to The Woodlands. The bike course on Grogan’s Mill has been moved to the inside lane instead of the outside lane to provide drivers the ability to turn south onto Grogan’s Mill with less delay in the morning. Vehicles can then travel to South Millbend Drive to turn right and detour to destinations north, east or west, Powers said.

Powers said the South County Community Building on Lake Robbins Drive will be a polling location for early voting and there will be easy access to the building because the race route was altered to provide entry and exit to the parking lot. Also, the Woodlands Parkway turnaround location has been moved east to the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and Gosling Road, which opens up that intersection to through traffic. Last year the turnaround was at Woodlands Parkway and Cochran’s Crossing, near the John Cooper School.

The run course of the triathlon takes place entirely in The Woodlands and finishes at The Woodlands Waterway.

More Information Race Day Schedule 5 a.m. — Event day check-in at Northshore Park 6:25 a.m. — Professional athletes start 6:40 a.m. — Age group rolling start Athletes have 10 hours 30 minutes to complete the course. Children's Memorial Hermann IRONKIDS Texas Fun Run A week before the professionals take over Town Green Park, the Children's Memorial Hermann IRONKIDS fun run offers young athletes the unique opportunity to feel the excitement of competition while enjoying the outdoors and promoting healthy living. Parents, family, and friends are invited to cheer on the racers while they run though The Woodlands on Saturday, April 21. Age: 3 to 13 years old Distance: One mile and half mile options are available When: Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m. Where: Town Green Park For more information, email info@ironkids.com or visit bit.ly/2EME3Nu.

Last month, the last phase of The Woodlands Waterway extension was completed, Powers said, improving the run course. The final phase extended the pedestrian and transit corridor about a half mile with the section between Grogan’s Mill Road and Lake Woodlands-Lake Front Circle.

The extension section connects with the existing 1.4 miles of pathway and Ironman event provides improved runner safety and enhanced spectator viewing for the run course, he said.

The swim route on Lake Woodlands remains the same as in previous years with participants starting at Northshore Park.

Nick Wolda, director of Community Relations and the township’s Convention and Visitors Bureau president, said area hotels are filling up in anticipation for the event.

“Nearly all of our hotels are sold out on Friday night, April 27, 2018 with many of them requiring a two or three day minimum booking,” Wolda said.

Race Information for Athletes

Athlete Check-In: Athletes are required to check in. Those who do not check in during the designated Athlete Check-In hours will not be permitted to race. All race packets must be picked up by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 26. Check-in hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25 and 26 at Waterway Parking Lot, 18 Waterway Ave., The Woodlands.

Mandatory Athlete Briefing: Athletes are required to attend a Mandatory Athlete Briefing, which will be held during IRONMAN Village hours in the days prior to the event and are hosted for the benefit of all athletes. The briefings will cover important information pertaining to any peculiarities of the course, rules and cut-off times for the disciplines and most importantly any last minute changes or procedures to the event that have occurred, or may potentially occur due to weather related forecasts. Visit https://bit.ly/2GY2qxC for more specifics.

Race Day Parking: Personal vehicles will not be permitted into The Woodlands Mall, North Shore Park, or Market Street on race day. If parked in this area, cars will be subject to towing. All athletes and spectators can park in the parking garages off of Lake Robbins Road. Be advised that all red zone and handicapped parking spaces will be strictly enforced.

Best Places to View the Race

Swim: Along the Lake Woodlands Parkway Bridge just East of North Shore Park. Also, along the canal between Lake Woodlands and the swim finish (best accessed from the stairs down to the waterway off Grogan’s Mill Road).

Bike: The streets and neighborhoods are heavily congested during the bike portion of the event. In order to avoid getting stuck out on the course, the best option for the bike start and finish is along Lake Robbins.

Run: Along the waterway (three loop course), especially near the restaurants close to Waterway Avenue and near the transition area at Town Green Park. No tents are permitted on the waterway, however North Shore Park is a good place for families and children during the mid-day.

For more information on the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas North American Championship, visit www.ironman.com.