Long sections of the Sunshine Motorway and several of the region’s main roads will be closed to accommodate a mass-participation endurance event on Sunday.
Key thoroughfares in Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Buderim and Alexandra Headland will be affected by the running of IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast. Several car parks will also be closed.
Mooloolaba Esplanade, Alexandra Parade, Cotton Tree Parade and Buderim Avenue are some of the major roads to be closed, while delays can be expected on David Low Way, Mooloolaba Road, Bradman Avenue, Yandina-Coolum Road, Beach Road at Coolum and on the streets around Mooloolaba and Maroochydore.
A 10km section of the motorway, from Pacific Paradise to the Coolum-Yandina roundabout, will be closed from 5am to 11.15am, while southbound lanes of a 9km section of motorway, from Pacific Paradise to Buderim Avenue, will also be closed then.
Some roads will be impacted from Friday, in preparation for the event.
There will be free shuttle buses operating and some car parking available.
The 10th edition of the Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast will see more than 2000 athletes take on a 1.9km swim, starting and finishing on Mooloolaba Beach, a 90km ride taking in the Sunshine Motorway, and a 21.1km run finishing on the Mooloolaba Esplanade.Â
Sunshine Coast Councillor Jason O’Pray said it would significantly bolster the local economy.
“Aside from the global exposure we get from being part of the IRONMAN 70.3 series, the Sunshine Coast event provides an invaluable contribution to many of our local businesses outside of the peak tourism seasons,” he said.
For full details see IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.