LAKE PLACID — The 27th Ironman Lake Placid will take place July 19 in Lake Placid, Keene, Wilmington, Au Sable Forks, Jay and Upper Jay.
The weekend also includes various events and activities leading up to the race beginning July 16.
The annual Ironkids Dip-n-Dash event takes place July 17 at 2 p.m. for ages 7 to 17. The IronKids Fun Run is also scheduled that day with four different distances based on age categories between infants to 17 years old: the diaper dash, toddler tot trot, half-mile and 1-mile race.
Competitors and their supporters can visit the Ironman Village at the Olympic Oval beginning July 16.
The Ironman Village offers participants the opportunity to learn about various event sponsors, local attractions and businesses, visit the tech service center, and purchase official Ironman clothing and gear.
The race begins July 19 at 6:15 a.m.
Participants have 17 hours from the time they begin to finish the event. Its bike and marathon courses take athletes through Lake Placid, Keene, Au Sable Forks, Jay, Upper Jay and Wilmington throughout the day and late into the night.
Traffic pattern changes, road closures and delays will impact communities along the bike and run courses beginning shortly after 5 a.m. Bike and run traffic should be anticipated throughout the morning and afternoon; runner traffic will continue until midnight.
A list of alternate routes, road closures and delays, along with the Ironman course route, can be found on lakeplacid.com.
Ironman Lake Placid has established a community relations coordinator and hotline to assist businesses and community members with questions related to race training and travel throughout the region, along with addressing specific race-day issues.
The community liaison, the primary point of contact regarding road closures, traffic delays and other inquiries or concerns, can be reached at 888-497-5009 or via email at IMLakePlacidCommunity@ironman.com.
Recognizing the impact of a large-scale event like Ironman Lake Placid, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism led a task force five years ago to address community concerns, improve safety and logistics, and establish ways to communicate more effectively with community members and race participants.
The task force evolved, becoming known as the event committee, and remains in place to support the Ironman event.
“We recognize that improvement is a continual process,” ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence said in a press release. “The group meets to review the event and consider additional recommendations based on feedback from athletes, volunteers, businesses and community officials.”
Ironman Lake Placid welcomes hundreds of volunteers to assist participants before the race, along the course, in changing tents, during transitions and at the finish line.
To volunteer, sign up at ironman.com/races/im-lake-placid.