The Ironman 70.3 will bring together 1,300 triathletes in the city next Sunday, September 19, among which there will be representatives from more than 60 countries. “Marbella once again shows its ability to organize top-level events, as well as the clear and determined commitment to a combination where it has been proven that the success of sport entails a very good economic return,” he declared during his presentation was the mayor, Ángeles Muñoz. In addition, he pointed out that each participant comes to the city with two or three companions, “which in general terms of impact, even in these pandemic conditions, can directly exceed more than three million euros, in addition to the indirect impact and of the promotion and publicity that an event of this nature generates, more than three million euros ”.
The first mayor also wanted to add that the name of Marbella and the Ironman brand have been “a great pairing”, stating that in these moments of recovery, both at a sporting and economic level, “it will mean an important milestone to be able to celebrate this event internationally«:« For us it was a challenge to be able to do it in these circumstances and, furthermore, to be one of the first tests that could be held within the European sphere ».
One of the most attractive and toughest tests in the world, according to the mayor. It will take place this Sunday from 8:00 am on the Levante beach in Puerto Banús, and will feature a segment of 1,900 meter swim, another of 90 kilometer cycling, with a circuit that will run through neighboring municipalities such as Ojén, Monda, Coín or Cártama, and another on foot, in the Paseo Marítimo de Marbella, of 21 kilometers.
For his part, the general director of Ironman Europe, Agustín Pérez, affirmed that the Marbella and Ironman binomial is a “guarantee of success”, highlighting that the triathletes who have not been able to participate in this edition have already booked for next year.
The event starts on Thursday, at 3:00 p.m., with the official opening and the collection of numbers. The security protocols against Covid-19 will be followed, among which are that athletes wear the masks when they are not performing the competition.
Roads affected and traffic alternatives
Citizens can already consult the affected roads next Sunday, September 19, for the celebration of Ironman 70.3 and the traffic alternatives through the SITMA portal.
On the day of the event, from 07:15 to 15:00 the N340, from Puerto Banús to the Virgen del Carmen Cemetery (Ctra. Ojén), will see its traffic affected during the cycling test, so that traffic can only circulate through the right lane in each direction (residual traffic). Access to Puerto Banús by the N-340 from Marbella can be made through the exit A-7176 Puerto Banús – Nueva Andalucía – Istán (leading to the roundabout of the Vasari Urbanization). Access to Puerto Banús by the N-340 from San Pedro Alcántara can be done through the exit of Avda. Lola Flores, through the usual one in Puerto Banús and also through the one that gives access to the Corte Inglés roundabout. On the other hand, exit 174 towards Puerto Banús will be closed to traffic from Thursday, September 16 until the end of the event. The area of Los Granados will have completely cut off access, being able to only make exits towards a residual traffic lane from La Alcazaba towards the N-340. Only ambulances will be able to use that residual traffic lane in both directions.
Residual traffic in both directions of the N-340 from Puerto Banús to Pirulí may make any U-turn at the overpass in the Hotel Puente Romano or Coral Beach area, following the indications of the Local Police. Access to Ojén must be made from the A-7 through the service lane located behind Mundo Pasta and using the two lanes in the direction Ojén – Marbella, dividing them into one uphill and the other downhill. From the Consistory the neighbors are asked for the “maximum understanding and patience” before the celebration of a sporting event of “maximum level”. In addition, information is provided on the routes and special services of the Marbella public bus service on the occasion of its celebration.
Public bus service
-Long-haul services will be affected only in the Cádiz-Málaga direction. There will be an alternative itinerary at the access to the Marbella station for them, so both entry and exit will be through the accesses to the station in the direction of Málaga – Cádiz. To do this, they must use the U-turns of Bello Horizonte and Nagüeles.
-Line 1 La Cañada-Plaza Antonio Banderas: In the direction of Marbella, the route will take place through the El Ángel lane until it joins Puente Romano, where it will resume its usual route. As it passes through the stops from Montebello, users will also be picked up in the direction of Puerto Banús, due to the impossibility of doing the service in the opposite direction. In the direction of Puerto Banús, the exit from La Cañada will take the A-7 until reaching the Pinos de Nagüeles, from where you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to resume your usual route. The entrance to Puerto Banús will be made through the bullring and the exit through the Rhinoceros roundabout.
-Line 2 La Cañada-El Mirador: An alternative circular service will be carried out to be able to provide service in the neighborhoods of the central area of Marbella. From La Cañada, you will take the A-7 to the bus station to take the route established in the Xarblanca area and join the A-7 again until the Pinos de Nagüeles exit. From there, you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to turn towards the Monseñor Rodriguez Bocanegra roundabout (Pirulí) and continue along Jacinto Benavente, Avd. Mercado, Mayorazgo, Avd. Arias de Velasco, Huerta de los Crystals, Carabelas, Las Albarizas and Avd. Duque from Lerma until the end of your tour again at CC La Cañada.
-Line 3 La Cañada-El Ángel: In the direction of the shopping center towards Puerto Banús, the exit will be made by the A-7 until reaching Pinos de Nagüeles, from where it will resume its usual route, although making access to Puerto Banús passing through the area of El Ángel in the opposite direction to the original, proceeding to collect users in the direction Marbella and Puerto Banús. In the direction Marbella – CC La Cañada, only the departure from Puerto Banús will be modified, which will be made by joining the A-7 west, where it will resume its usual route.
-Line 6 Cabopino-La Cañada: In the Cabopino – CC La Cañada direction it will carry out regular service to the center of Marbella, where it will deviate towards Calvario Street, Avd. Arias de Velasco and Avd. Duque de Lerma, until ending at CC La Cañada. In the direction from the commercial center to Cabopino, you will carry out the service on the A-7 until you reach the exit of Pinos de Nagüeles, from where you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to turn towards the Monseñor Rodríguez Bocanegra roundabout (Pirulí), resuming its usual tour.
-Line 6B Bellohorizonte-CC La Cañada: In this sense, it will continue its usual route until it reaches the Trapiche roundabout where it will continue through Arias de Velasco until it reaches CC La Cañada. From Miraflores, we will proceed to pick up users who wish to go down to the center or Bello Horizonte, given the impossibility of making the trip in the direction of return due to traffic cuts in the area. In the direction CC La Cañada – Bello Horizonte, you will carry out the service on the A-7 until you reach the exit of Pinos de Nagüeles, from where you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to turn towards the Monseñor Rodriguez Bocanegra roundabout (Pirulí), Marbella center, from where you will resume your usual route.
–Line 12 Marbella-Nueva Andalucía: In the direction of Nueva Andalucía – Marbella – Costa del Sol Hospital, it will make the journey from Puerto Banús along the El Ángel lane until its incorporation to Puente Romano, where it will resume its usual route to the Costa del Sol Hospital. Montebello to the Arco de Marbella, there will also be the collection of users in the Nueva Andalucía direction, due to the impossibility of doing the service in the opposite direction. In the Hospital – Marbella – Nueva Andalucía direction, it will make the usual route until the deviation of incorporation to Marbella, continuing on the A-7 until reaching the Pinos de Nagüeles exit, from where it will access the Ashmawi roundabout to resume its usual route.
-Line 13 Marbella-San Pedro: In the direction of San Pedro – Marbella, the journey will be made from Puerto Banús along the El Ángel lane until its incorporation to Puente Romano, where it will resume its usual route to Marbell Center. As it passes through the stops from Montebello to Marbell Center, users will also be picked up in the direction of San Pedro, due to the impossibility of doing the service in the opposite direction. In the direction of Marbella – San Pedro, the exit towards San Pedro will take place on the A-7 until reaching the Pinos de Nagüeles exit from where you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to resume your usual route.
-Line 79 Estepona-Marbella: In the Estepona – Marbella direction, the journey will be made from Pto. Banús along the El Ángel lane until it joins Puente Romano, where it will resume its usual route. As it passes through the stops from Montebello to the Marbella bus station, it will collect users in the San Pedro – Estepona direction, due to the impossibility of doing the service in the opposite direction. In the direction Marbella – San Pedro – Estepona, the service will be carried out by the A-7 until reaching the exit of Pinos de Nagüeles, from where you will access the Ashmawi roundabout to resume your usual route.
-Lines 80 Coín -Marbella and 82 Ojén -Marbella: The services between Coín – Guaro – Monda – Ojén – Marbella and vice versa cannot be carried out in the morning due to the impossibility of circulating on the roads in the area. The first departure expedition will take place at 3.30 pm from Coín in the direction of Marbella and from that time the usual schedule and routes will be reestablished. All services prior to 3.30 pm are canceled.
-Line 220 Fuengirola -Marbella: In the Fuengirola – Marbella direction, the service will be carried out on a regular basis until reaching the Porcelanosa stop in the Cádiz direction, which is the last stop on the route. In the Marbella – Fuengirola direction, the service will start at the Porcelanosa stop in the Malaga direction, maintaining its usual route from said stop.