After more than a year of planning, thousands of spectators are expected to descend upon downtown Gloucester this weekend to cheer on the nearly 900 athletes participating in the city's inaugural triathlon.
Formulating the most effective parking and spectator viewing plans was no small task for triathlon organizers, but with help from Gloucester Police, the Public Works Department, numerous volunteers and even the Coast Guard, the city believes it is fully prepared to safely handle the onslaught of humanity.
The Gloucester Triathlon, the brainchild of Gloucester native and professional triathlete Janda Ricci-Munn and Bill Burnett of Cohasset, has engaged the community in a special way, said Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association (GFAA) co-President Dick Wilson.
"The cooperation we've received from everybody in the community has been phenomenal," Wilson said yesterday.
According to Burnett, the inaugural race field has closed; it boasts 26 relays teams of two or three people and 797 individual competitors.
Boating alert
Boaters looking to access Western Harbor on Sunday should be aware U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester has agreed to keep the Blynman Bridge locked in its down position from 9 to 11 that morning to ensure the almost 800 bicyclists have consistent passage over that section of Western Avenue.
Car travel, parking
St. Peter's Square parking lot will be closed from 5 a.m. tomorrow to 1 p.m. Sunday. The water side of Western Avenue from Essex Avenue to Middle Street will be closed Sunday morning as will portions of Main Street, said police Lt. Joseph Fitzgerald.
"I've heard a crowd estimate of 10,000 people," Fitzgerald said, "I'm not sure how likely that is, but we hope to have everything back to normal by noon (Sunday)."
There will be no parking on Beach Court from 6 to 11 a.m. Sunday. From 5 a.m. to noon, Main Street from Center to Washington streets will be closed, and from 8 a.m. to noon, Main Street from Prospect to Center streets will be closed.
There will be extra police patrols downtown, particularly officers monitoring the larger intersections along the 15-mile bike route, Fitzgerald added.
Organizers encourage athletes and spectators to park at Gloucester High School. Overflow parking will be allowed on Lincoln and Centennial avenues and at Stage Fort Park. Numerous other public parking areas will be open, including municipal lots located off Rogers Street in front of the Gloucester House Restaurant and by Harbor Loop as well as a lot between Middle and Warren streets and behind City Hall off of Warren Street.
There is also street parking along Pleasant Street and Dale Avenue.
Best spots to watch
Both Wilson and Fitzgerald recommended the best places to view the event were along Stacy Boulevard and in the area of St. Peter's Square.
About the race
While it is no doubt a sports event, the Gloucester Triathlon — which steps off just before 9 a.m. Sunday — is also a major fundraiser and tourism draw, with proceeds going to support the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association, Wellspring House, and the Pine Street Inn in Boston.
The "mini" or "sprint" triathlon consists of a one-third mile swim off Pavilion Beach beginning around 9 a.m., a 15-mile cycling ride that will begin in St. Peter's Square and carry over Western, Essex and Magnolia avenues before returning to the city's center, and a 3-mile run that will loop twice around downtown Gloucester to cap the event. Elite participants are expected to finish shortly after 10 a.m.
Wilson said over $20,000 has been raised so far and hopes people will continue to donate online at www.gloucestertri.com or by mailing checks made payable to the "GFAA" to GFAA, PO Box 3010, Gloucester, MA, 01930.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
ROAD CLOSURES
Blynman Bridge: Bridge down, 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday.
St. Peter's Square parking lot: Closed from 5 a.m. tomorrow to 1 p.m. Sunday,
Beach Court: No parking from 6 to 11 a.m. Sunday.
Main Street: Closed between Center and Washington streets from 5 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Main Street: Closed between Propect and Center streets from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.
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