Ironman Success is all part of the plan

It's not just the 750 athletes and large field of professionals who are making final preparations for this weekend's Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie. A large contingent of event organisers, emergency service providers and Council staff met last week to run through the events finer details.

The meeting, coordinated by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council involved representatives from the Police, SES, Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Marine Rescue as well as event owners World Triathlon Corporation and the volunteer Local Organising Committee.

Council Manager of Tourism and Events Linda Hall explains the importance of detailed planning in an event of this nature.

"Although the Ironman 70.3 event is much shorter in distance and time than the full Ironman, it is still a complex event using the river, many of our roads and focusing on the CBD.

"It's that complexity that makes it essential to ensure that all of the stakeholders such as Council, the event organisers and the emergency services are all really clear on their individual roles," said Ms Hall.

The planning meeting reviewed the finer details of the traffic management plan which will see a number of roads throughout Port Macquarie CBD and Pacific / Ocean Drive down to Lake Cathie closed between 6:00am and 11:15am.

"While the impact of the road closure for the Ironman 70.3 event is much less than the full Ironman event it's still vital that the traffic management plan is implemented successfully so that we get safe conditions for the athletes and help the community meet their travel needs," said Ms Hall.

Residents affected by the road closures and needing to arrange essential travel are advised to contact the events traffic management hotline on 0428 476 662 prior to the event.

Ironman 70.3 organisers have begun setting up the finish shute and expo tents on Town Green with athletes predicted to start arriving in town from Thursday prior to the Sunday November 6 race.