Ironman Village has opened in Sacramento, drawing athletes from around the world and boosting local businesses as the city hosts North America’s largest Ironman event
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Ironman Village has officially opened on Capitol Mall in Sacramento, kicking off the largest Ironman event in North America and bringing millions of dollars to the local economy.
Local businesses are already seeing increased activity.
Mike’s Bikes, a downtown shop, has been busy assembling bicycles for athletes who traveled with disassembled bikes.
“It’s always a busy week for us,” general manager Marc Peterson said. “They’re starting to fly to Sacramento, and so they got their bikes with them in a bike case. And so, they’re bringing it to us to get their bikes built.”
Franquettes, a French bakery located along the race route, is hosting a watch party and preparing for what is typically its busiest day of the year.
“It’s really exciting. Everyone is cheering, they’ve got bells and things. It’s really loud outside,” Elena Winks, a Franquettes employee, said. “People come back all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner pretty much until the race is over.”
The event has drawn athletes from around the world, many of whom are spending thousands of dollars to participate. Costs can include registration fees, flights, equipment and hotel stays.
One athlete estimated their expenses at “probably about $5,000 or $6,000,” while another said, “my flight was about $600. I spent another $400 on bringing the bike in and all that.”
Despite the high costs, participants expressed enthusiasm for the experience.
“Yeah. It’s priceless,” one athlete said.
See a list of Ironman California traffic impacts below:
Race week: Oct. 13 at 6 a.m. to Oct. 19 at 5 p.m.
Capitol Mall: 3rd Street to 5th Street.
Freeway ramp closures: Sunday, Oct. 18
Eastbound Highway 50 on-ramp: Highway 50 on-ramp to the River Road on-ramp near 15th Street; 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.Northbound I-5 off-ramp: I-5 north off-ramp to Q Street; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.Southbound I-5 off-ramp: I-5 south off-ramp to Q Street; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.
Yolo County: Sunday, Oct. 18
Babel Slough Road: South River Road to Jefferson Boulevard/SR 84; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.Jefferson Boulevard/SR 84: Babel Slough Road to Courtland Road; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Courtland Road: Jefferson Boulevard/SR 84 to Ryer Avenue; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Highway 84/Ryer Avenue: Courtland Road to Oxford Road; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Solano County: Sunday, Oct. 18
Ryer Avenue: Oxford Road to Holland Road; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Miner Slough Bridge: Holland Road to Ryer Road; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.East Ryer Road: Miner Slough Bridge to Elevator Road; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
West Sacramento: Sunday, Oct. 18
Cabaldon Parkway (Tower Bridge): Riverfront Street to Front Street (east side); 7 a.m. to midnight Monday.Riverfront Street: Mill Street to Cabaldon Parkway (Tower Bridge); 3 a.m. to 8 p.m.Ballpark Drive: 5th Street to Riverfront Street; 3 a.m. to 8 p.m.Mill Street: Riverfront Street to 5th Street; 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.South River Road: Mill Street to Locks Drive; 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.Village Parkway: South River Road to Gregory Avenue; 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Gregory Avenue: Village Parkway to South River Road; 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.South River Road: Gregory Avenue to Babel Slough Road; 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sacramento: Sunday, Oct. 18
Capitol Mall: 5th Street to 10th Street; noon to 2 a.m. Monday.Cabaldon Parkway (Tower Bridge): Riverfront Street to Front Street (east side); 7 a.m. to midnight Monday.Neasham Circle: Front Street (Old Sacramento) to Front Street; 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday.Front Street (Old Sacramento): L Street to J Street; 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday.Front Street southbound: Neasham Circle to R Street overpass; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.R Street: 2nd Street to 6th Street; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.6th Street: R Street to L Street; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.N Street: 6th Street to 7th Street; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.
Ironkids race: Saturday, Oct. 17
Riverfront Street: Cabaldon Parkway to Mill Street; 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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