Ironman Wisconsin runners to follow a different route on Sunday
Runners participating in Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday, Sept. 11, will be taking a slightly different route through the UW–Madison campus than in previous years, due to ongoing construction projects and related traffic detours.
They will be using the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path instead of a large section of Observatory Drive.
Lt. Bill Larson of the UW Police Department says no campus streets will be completely closed to traffic during the event, although some lanes will be closed. Motorists should be on the lookout for runners or avoid the route, if possible.
Between noon and midnight, vehicle traffic on Observatory Drive will be limited to one way westbound between North Park Street and Babcock Drive. The traffic lane on the east side of Walnut Street between Old University Avenue and Lot 60 will be cordoned off for runners only. Two-way vehicle traffic will be maintained on the west side of Walnut Street.
Campus streets affected by the Ironman run include Walnut Street from Old University Avenue to Lot 60; Babcock Drive between Lake Mendota and Observatory Drive; and Observatory Drive between Babcock Drive and North Park Street.
Runners also will be using city streets in the campus area, including: North Park Street between Observatory Drive and the State Street Mall; Old University Avenue between Walnut Street and Breese Terrace, Breese Terrace and Monroe Street. They will run through Lot 19 at Camp Randall Stadium and through the stadium.
Spectators are welcome to cheer on the runners at the stadium. They should enter at Gate 1 (the main gate at Kellner Hall), which will open at noon.
Campus bus routes also will be affected during the run. From 11:30 a.m. on Sunday to midnight, Route 80 buses will serve only Eagle Heights, UW Hospital, Union South and University Avenue. No bus service to the Memorial Union will be available after 11:30 a.m.
Route 81 and 82 buses will not provide service to the Memorial Union between 6 p.m. and midnight. Passengers can board on West Johnson Street or University Avenue.