Expect Traffic Delays for 32nd Annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon

Expect Traffic Delays for 32nd Annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (March 20, 2015) - As athletes bike and run through the streets of St. Petersburg for the 32nd annual St. Anthony’s Triathlon on April 26, race officials want to remind residents that several local streets will experience traffic delays and intermittent road closures. The Olympic and Sprint distance races will follow the same course as last year as participants compete from approximately 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Most roads will be open, but traffic will be stopped at various times on several streets to accommodate the safety of the athletes who will participate in the race and spectators who watch from the sidelines. Local residents are encouraged to find alternate routes during race time.

“Each year we want to get the word out as early as possible to let residents know that the race is coming through their neighborhoods,” said Susan Daniels, St. Anthony’s Triathlon manager. “We truly appreciate the continued support of the community as thousands of athletes make their way through the city’s streets. We hear from athletes who compete in races all over the world that they love to race here because of the local residents who sit outside their homes to cheer them on.”

St. Anthony’s Triathlon race officials work closely with the City of St. Petersburg in planning the race and St. Petersburg police officers will be directing traffic during the Triathlon.

Several sections of St. Petersburg roads and streets are expected to be closed. Those 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

Neighbors who would like to be a part of the fast-paced action have two ways to join the fun. First, there is still plenty of time to register to participate in the races, including the Meek & Mighty Triathlon on April 25 and the Olympic and Sprint distances on April 26. To register, please visit www.SATriathlon.com. Second, residents are invited to join our crew of more than 1,000 volunteers who help throughout the April 22-26 Triathlon weekend with athlete check-in, body marking, course marshal and water stations. All volunteers 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.

The St. Anthony’s Triathlon, which attracts professional and amateur competitors from around the world, was recently named one of just 10 regional races that will qualify athletes for this summer’s USA Triathlon Olympic-Distance National Championships. The Triathlon is a premier race event that has always attracted a wide range of professional and amateur athletes including Olympic gold medalists, Ironman world champions and celebrity athletes.

For more information about the 2015 races, athletes and fans can also visit St. Anthony’s Triathlon’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/StAnthonysTriathlon.

About St. Anthony’s Hospital
St. Anthony’s Hospital is a 393-bed hospital founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and was the first faith-based hospital in Pinellas County. The hospital continues its rich history dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing high-quality, innovative and compassionate care. For more information on St. Anthony’s, call (727) 953-6993.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare Health System is a leading community-based health system in the Tampa Bay area. Comprised of a network of 12 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 280 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 hospitals include: Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant, Morton Plant North Bay, St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s, St. Joseph’s Women’s, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, South Florida Baptist and Winter Haven. For more information, visit BayCare on the Web at www.BayCare.org.