​Salem is gearing up to host the sixth Ironman 70.3 Oregon July 17-19.Over 2,500 athletes and thousands of spectators and visitors from around the world will be in town for the event and area road closures and traffic impacts will follow.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe event’s 70-mile course includes a 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River, a 56-mile bike course from South Salem to Ankeny Nature Preserve and back and a 13.1-mile run through Minto-Brown Island Park, which finishes by the Salem Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.Festivities begin July 17 when athlete check-in and a new Currents to Kicks preview event set off at Riverfront Park. July 18 will feature Ironkids Oregon — a one-mile race for kids ages 5-17, a half-mile race for ages 3-8 and a toddler trot for ages 1-3 that begins at 9 a.m.Road closures and detours are expected July 19 when Ironman 70.3 Oregon comes to Salem for the sixth time.The main event, Ironman 70.3 Oregon, begins at 6 a.m. July 19 in Riverfront Park and is expected to finish around 4 p.m.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere’s what to know about road closures, traffic updates and more from the event.There are several road closures scheduled around Minto-Brown Island Park, Riverfront Park and River Road South July 19.Athletes bike a 56-mile bike course in the Ironman 70.3 on Sunday, July 20, 2025 in Salem.Motorists traveling between Salem and Independence on River Road South are advised to use alternate routes between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the day of the race. Visitors to and from Independence are recommended to use Hwy 51.The following lane restrictions and road closures in Salem will be in effect July 19 from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Signs will be posted in these areas for drivers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFront Street SE to Trade Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle trafficCommercial Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle trafficMission Street (Commercial Street to Saginaw Street S): Local traffic onlySaginaw Street S (Mission Street to Owens Street): Local traffic onlyOwens Street between Liberty Street SE and River Road S: Closed to westbound trafficRiver Road S between Owens Street and Minto Island Park Road: Closed to southbound trafficThe Peter Courtney Pedestrian Bridge that connects Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park will be closed to the public on race day.Riverfront Park, Minto-Brown Island Park and Wallace Marine Park will remain open to the public during the event, though access and parking will be limited.For additional information about the event, the course, traffic impacts and more visit https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-oregon.Landon Bartlett covers Oregon State and high school sports for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at LBartlett@statesmanjournal.com or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Expect road closures, detours when Ironma