2024 Jones Beach Ironman will close large sections of Wantagh State and Bay parkways
The September ironman includes a 13.1 mile run along the Jones Beach boardwalk, which is shown on Dec. 24. Credit: Tom Lambui
Expect a handful of major road closures Saturday as the 2024 Jones Beach Ironman 70.3 Mile Triathlon comes to Long Island.
State police said the entire Wantagh State Parkway will be closed — from the Northern State Parkway to Ocean Parkway — between 5 a.m. until about 3 p.m., while Bay Parkway will be closed between the Meadowbrook and Wantagh, as well. The closures are to accommodate the 56-mile cycling course.
The race begins with a 1.2-mile swim in Zach's Bay, followed by the cycling segment and then a 13.1-mile run along the boardwalk, parking fields and surrounding paths at Jones Beach.
While the cycling portion of the race will impact the Wantagh, as well as on ramps at Clays Path, Bay Parkway, Merrick Road, Sunrise Highway, the Southern State Parkway, Hempstead Turnpike, Old Country Road, Northern State and Brush Hollow Road, the run portion will affect the Jones Beach bike path, the boardwalk and lower boardwalk at the East End Bath House, officials said.
Police said the Green Island fishing pier and Jones Beach Field 10 fishing pier also will be closed beginning Friday evening through 3 p.m. Saturday to accommodate the race.
More than 3,000 athletes are registered for the event. Officials note there is no overnight parking at Jones Beach, though parking fields will open at 5:30 a.m. to accommodate attendees.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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