Ironman 70.3 Waco Traffic Impact

Published on September 27, 2025

ironman athlete on a bicycle

The annual Ironman 70.3 Waco event is set to return on Sunday, Oct. 5th. The event, which will attract approximately 7,500 athletes and spectators and will be headquartered at Indian Spring Park. This is the seventh time the Waco has hosted the Ironman event. Set-up, equipment deliveries and pre-race road closures in front of the park will begin Monday, Sept. 29.

For route and turn-by-turn information of the swim, bike, and run course, please review the Ironman 70.3 Waco website.

  • There will be a single Ironman race, the 70.3-mile event on Sunday Oct. 5th
  • The bike race for the route will travel toward Robinson and turn around in Chilton for an out- and-back course. Routes will not travel in the China Spring area.
     --- Routes will not extend past Brazos Park East, along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
    --- The route will travel south along University Parks Dr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., La Salle Ave., and 12th St.
  • An IronKids running race will be held on Saturday Oct. 4. Road closures will include:
     --- University Parks Dr. from Franklin Ave. to Jefferson Ave.
    --- Washington Street Bridge
    --- Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Blvd. between Franklin Ave. and Washington Ave.

Due to the length of the race routes, impacts to traffic along certain roadways are expected. The event organizers have secured approximately 60 officers to control intersections and ensure traffic proceeds safely and efficiently. Please see the following list of impacted roads, street closures and access routes on Oct. 5.

Complete Road Closures:

  • University Parks Dr./Cameron Park Dr. (Franklin Ave. to Sturgis)
  • Washington Street Bridge

Timeline of Impacted Roads:

(There will be periodic delays — but not complete closures — along the race route as participants pass through residential areas)

  • Sunday delays are expected to begin 7:30 a.m. and will continue until approximately 4 p.m.
  • Peak delay times at intersections are between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please allow extra travel time if your itinerary includes locations  and places of worship along the route.

Expected Intersection and Road Delays:

(There will be potential delays at the following intersections. Roads will remain open for vehicular access, and officers will direct traffic as soon as possible.)

  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Herring Ave.
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Washington Ave.
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Franklin Ave.
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. and I-35 (North/Southbound Frontage Rd.)
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Loop 340
  • University Parks Dr. and La Salle Ave.
  • La Salle Ave. and 12th St.
  • S. 12th St. and Loop 340 Frontage Rd.
  • S. Old Robinson Rd. and Hwy 77
  • Hwy 77 and State Hwy 7 (Chilton)
  • University Parks Dr. and Loop 340
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. from Herring Ave. to Loop 340
  • Herring Ave. between 4th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd.
  • La Salle Ave. between MLK, Jr. Blvd. and 12th St.
  • 12th St. between La Salle Ave. and Garden Ave.
  • 12th St. between Garden Ave. and Downsville Rd.
  • Downsville Rd. between 12th St. and S. Old Robinson Rd.
  • S. Old Robinson Rd. between Downsville Rd. and Hwy 77
  • Hwy 77 between Downsville Rd. and Hwy 7
  • E. Leona Pkwy. between Hwy 77 and Cedell Hill Rd.
  • Cedell Hill Rd. Between E Leona Pkwy and E. Rocket
  • E Rocket between Cedell Hill Rd. and S 3rd St.
  • S 3rd St. (FM 434) between E. Rocket Rd. and South University Parks Dr.
  • South University Parks Dr. between S 3rd St. (FM 434) and La Salle Ave.
  • Loop 340 Frontage Roads (both sides) between University Parks Dr. and the Brazos River.

Travel Options:

  • University Parks Dr. from Franklin Ave. to Sturgis will be closed. Residents can access Cameron Park points of interest such as Northern Gateway and Lovers Leap from N. 19th St., and Redwood Shelter and Proctor Springs from 4th St.
  • Herring Ave. between 4th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd. will be open to vehicles. Motorists can cross Herring Avenue Bridge, with delays expected throughout the day.
  • MLK, Jr. Blvd. will be open from Herring Ave. to South Loop/Business 77. Vehicle access will be allowed on both sides of the roadway.
  • La Salle Ave. will be open to vehicles, and bikers will use one lane on the northbound and southbound side of roadway between Business 77 and 12th St.
  • South 12th St. will be accessible and open to vehicles. Please note all residential neighborhoods along the route will be forced to turn north (toward La Salle Ave.). Athletes will utilize one traffic lane. Expect delays at intersections along the roadway.
  • Leona Pkwy. will be open for one-way vehicle traffic. Motorists and residents will be forced to travel east bound to FM 434.
  • Highway 77 will remain open. Participants will utilize one lane on each side of the highway.
  • South university Parks Dr. will remain open. Participants will utilize the northbound shoulder lane from S. 3rd St. (FM 434) to the La Salle Intersection. Expect delays through the day.
  • Downtown Public Parking will be available at Heritage Square, City Hall, Franklin Ave./5th St. garage and downtown public lots.

For questions concerning the Ironman traffic impact, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (254) 750-5980 or email at outdoorevents@wacotx.gov

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