SHARE Click to enlarge

By of the

Participants in this weekend's USA Triathlon National Championships will swim, run and bike to their best abilities — but drivers might be a little hampered.

Several morning and early afternoon road closures around the downtown lakefront are planned for Saturday and Sunday to accommodate the triathlon, which is being hosted in Milwaukee for the second consecutive year. The closures extend south over the Hoan Bridge/I-794 to E. Howard Ave. and S. Lake Drive, and through St. Francis and Cudahy to College Ave.

The competition has about 5,200 registered athletes from around the country, according to Wendy Strong, director of public relations for Visit Milwaukee, which helped plan the event.

Strong said drivers should not only plan ahead for the road closures but also keep an eye out for all the athletes around the area.

"If you're driving anywhere in the vicinity of the races, drive slowly, drive cautiously and be aware of the athletes," Strong said.

The triathlon starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Events include the Olympic Distance National Championship on Saturday and the Sprint National Championship on Sunday.

All races start at Discovery World with swimming. Bike races start at Lincoln Memorial Drive and E. Michigan St., and runs will take place in Veterans Park on the Oak Leaf Trail.

Here are the road closures planned for this weekend:

■ E. Michigan St., east of Lincoln Memorial Drive: Closed 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

■ North Harbor Drive, from E. Chicago St. to E. Michigan St.: Closed 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

■ Off-ramp from I-794 westbound to Lincoln Memorial Drive, and northbound and southbound lanes of Lincoln Memorial Drive from E. Michigan St. to N. Lake Drive: Closed 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

■ I-794 eastbound: All lanes from Lincoln Memorial Drive to E. Howard Ave. closed 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

■ E. Howard Ave.: Eastbound and westbound lanes from I-794 to S. Lake Drive closed 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday only.

■ S. Lake Drive: Northbound and southbound lanes from E. Howard Ave. to E. College Ave. closed 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday only.

■ No through traffic on E. Mason St., E. Lagoon Drive, E. Lafayette Hill Drive, E. Water Tower Road and E. Ravine Road, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Twitter: @jaysunsilver