SnagAJob.com Party Stops announced for spectators: Local roads to be affected

With 500 of the world’s top run-bike athletes coming to Richmond for the 2007 McDonald’s Duathlon Long Course World Championships on Sunday, October 21st, preparations are underway to create an exciting event for spectators and athletes alike.

For those wishing to view the event, three prime viewing areas have been designated the SnagAJob.com Party Stops. Spectators are welcome to join SnagAJob.com employees as they cheer on the duathletes with free noisemakers and other giveaways. Several Richmond residents will be competing in the age group categories of the McDonald’s ITU Duathlon Long Course World Championships. Musical acts will be situated at the party stops to provide entertainment.

The transition area party stop will be under the Lee Bridge. Not only is it in close proximity to the transition and start/finish areas, but riders will pass by this location twice per lap on the bike course.

The run course party stop will be in the vicinity of the 14th Street Bridge at Canal. This party stop is a great vantage for the run course as individual runners will pass by four times on the first run segment and then twice on the final run segment.

The bike course party stop will be at Trafford and Westover Road near the Vita Course in Byrd Park. This party stop offers spectators a chance to see the dynamic speed of the duathletes’ as they ride low profile time-trial bikes at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.

Bike Course Cut-off Time — Elite and age group competitors must complete their third lap of the four-lap bike event by 12:30 p.m. or they will not be allowed to finish the race.

Traffic Update — The course, which consists of a 15-kilometer run segment (two laps over a 7.5-kilometer course); a 76-kilometer bike course (four laps over a 19-kilometer loop); and then a final sprint on the 7.5-kilometer run course, will close several bridges and roads in Richmond on Sunday, October 21st with some closures set for Saturday, October 20th, as well.

The Boulevard Bridge will be completely closed to traffic from south end to south entrance to Carillon on Park Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 21. Motorists heading to the Maymont/Carillon areas can detour via the Powhite Parkway.

The Lee Bridge will be partially closed from 6:00 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 20 to 6:00 p.m., Sun., Oct. 21. Closures will affect the outside lane on the Northbound Lee Bridge from the Cowardin Avenue Ramp to the 2nd Street Ramp; both Second Street ramps (northbound and southbound) on the north side of Lee Bridge; outside lane of Southbound Lee Bridge from 2nd Street ramp to Riverside Drive ramp.

The Manchester Bridge will be partially closed to traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 21st. Closures will affect the two outside lanes, southbound on Manchester Bridge; the southbound ramp at 9th Street; the ramp to Semmes Avenue; and the ramp to W. 10th Street-westbound Semmes only. Also the outside lane of Manchester Bridge northbound, Byrd Street to 7th Street access ramp on south side of bridge and the northbound ramp to Manchester Bridge at W. 7th (from Semmes Avenue.)

The Mayo Bridge will be partially closed to traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st. Closures affect the right-hand lane of Hull Street northbound.

Road Closures include the following:

• North 2nd Street completely closed from 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 20th to 5:00 p.m., Sunday evening, October 21st. Closures affect northbound Lee Bridge exit ramp to Byrd Street.
• Oregon Hill Parkway completely closed from 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 20th to 5:00 p.m., Sunday evening, October 21st. Closures affect the northbound and southbound Lee Bridge ramps and to Lee Bridge underpass.
• Riverside Drive completely closed between Lee Bridge and the Boulevard Bridge from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Byrd Park area – Boat Lake Drive and Shields Lake Drive completely closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• North 5th Street from Byrd Street to Tredegar Street closed from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 21st. This includes a partial closing of Tredegar Street.
• West 7th Street from Semmes Avenue Hull Street closed from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 21st. (Police and course marshals will be directing traffic at 7th and Hull.)
• Dock Street eastbound lane closed from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Park Drive, Shirley Lane and Westover Road closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Amelia Street from Byrd Park to Hampton Street closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oct. 21st.
• Colorado Avenue from Hampton to Harrison closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Harrison Street from Colorado to Idlewood closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Idlewood Avenue’s two right-hand eastbound lanes Harrison to Belvidere closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Belivdere’s two right-hand southbound lanes will be closed from Idlewood to Holly Street from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Holly Street from Belvidere to Laurel closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 21st.
• Laurel Street from Holly to Oregon Hill Parkway closed from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oct. 21st.

Bike Assembly Service –3Sports (The Official Bike/Multisport Shop of the McDonald’s ITU Duathlon World Championships) can provide incoming athletes with receipt and assembly services as well as disassembly and return freight service for their bicycles and equipment. For $25 3Sports will receive the bicycle, assemble it, tune it up and have it ready and waiting for pickup at the shop. 3Sports will also provide free inspection and adjustment services at the shop anytime the week prior to the race.
In addition, after the event 3Sports is able to provide disassembly and return shipping services for athletes and their equipment for an additional $25 plus UPS freight charges.

Any athletes interested in these or any other specific services please contact Ben (bennett@threesports.com) or Andrew (andrew@threesports.com) at 3Sports to make arrangements or to discuss any other specific requests. Riders should also include their name and any special requests on a note inside the bike box. 3Sports Shipping Address is:

3Sports
445 North Ridge Road
Richmond, VA 23229
804.288.4000
www.threesports.com

For more information call Sports Backers Communications Director Mike McCormick at 804-901-9047.