Traffic Delays Expected During St. Anthony's Triathlon

Bicycle Route Changes Due to Construction  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (April 8, 2014) – St. Anthony’s Triathlon organizers are reminding area residents that several local streets in St. Petersburg will have intermittent road closures and traffic delays during the 31st annual race on Sunday, April 27, from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition, construction along Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Street S will alter a portion of the bicycle route for the international distance triathlon.

Continued construction along Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Street S has caused organizers to move part of the bicycle race over to Fourth Street S. In past years, the bike portion of the race would begin on Dr. M.L. King Street, Jr. S at 11th Avenue. This year, the bike race will jump on Fourth Street S at Fifth Avenue, make its way down to Pinellas Point Drive and then head back to downtown St. Petersburg on Fourth Street S.

Thousands of athletes from across the globe come to downtown St. Petersburg as race participants swim in Tampa Bay and then bike and run along the scenic waterfront and through the streets of St. Petersburg. Most roads will be open, but traffic will be stopped at various times on several streets to accommodate the safety of the athletes participating and spectators watching the race. Local residents are encouraged to find alternate routes during race time.

“The support of local residents is essential to the success of this world class event. We really appreciate the understanding and support we receive from the community,” said Susan Daniels, St. Anthony’s Triathlon manager. The three-day event is estimated to help bring approximately $4.7 million to the local economy. 

St. Anthony’s Triathlon race officials work closely with the City of St. Petersburg in planning and St. Petersburg police officers will be directing traffic during the St. Anthony’s Triathlon. A sprint race has been added to the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, but is not expected to lengthen the timing of traffic impact.

Sections of St. Petersburg roads and streets that will be closed include:

• Brightwaters Boulevard which will be closed between Snell Isle Boulevard and the turnaround in the 1900 block of Brightwaters 
• Bayshore Drive which will be closed between Seventh Avenue N and Fifth Avenue S 
• North Shore Drive NE and Coffee Pot Blvd. which will be closed between Seventh and 22nd avenues N 
• Fifth Avenue S (Dali Blvd) which will be closed from First to Fourth streets 
• Pinellas Point Drive will be closed (drivers will be allowed to cross when safe to do so) 

Some roads that will be subject to intermittent closures and delays include: 

• First Avenue S between 28th and First streets S 
• Fourth Street S between 18th Avenue S and Pinellas Point Drive 
• Portions of First, Third, Fourth and Sixth streets S between First Avenue S and Pinellas Point Drive 
• Snell Isle Bridge will have limited vehicle traffic allowed 

For neighbors who would like to be a part of the action, there are many volunteer opportunities available including athlete check-in, body marking, course marshal and water stations. All volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt and access to the hospitality tent. Please call (813) 420-7815 for more information or visit: www.SATriathlon.com/volunteers. You also can follow the race on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stanthonystriathlon.

The St. Anthony’s Triathlon is entering its fourth year as part of the World Triathlon Corporation’s (WTC) 5150 Triathlon Series and is a qualifier for the HyVee 5150 U.S. Championship. The race also serves as the USA Triathlon Florida Regional Championship, qualifying athletes for the USAT Nationals. This year, the race has been selected as the 2014 Paratriathlon Florida Regional Championship event by USA Triathlon (USAT). The Florida Regional Championship race will host several Paralympic hopefuls looking to join Team USA as the sport of paratriathlon makes its debut at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games in Brazil.

The race weekend, April 25-27, also includes a sports and fitness expo, the Meek & Mighty Triathlon, a shorter-distance race for youth ages 7-14 and novice adults and a new sprint-distance race.

For registration or other information,visit www.SATriathlon.com; or call (727) 953-9005. In 2013, St. Anthony's Triathlon attracted approximately 3,500 individuals and 125 relay teams each year from more than 44 states and 23 countries. Athletes compete for the professional prize purse in addition to $10,000 in prizes for the top male and female competitors in the Elite Amateur division.

About St. Anthony’s Hospital 
St. Anthony’s Hospital is a 395-bed hospital founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and was the first faith-based hospital in Pinellas County. 

About BayCare Health System 
BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Composed of a network of 11 not-for-profit hospitals, outpatient facilities and services such as imaging, lab, behavioral health and home health care, BayCare provides expert medical care throughout a patient’s lifetime.
With more than 200 access points conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, BayCare connects patients to a complete range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for any health care need.
BayCare’s family of hospitals are: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, St. Joseph’s Women’s, South Florida Baptist, and Winter Haven. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.