TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - A triathlon that paralyzed traffic in a northern Michigan county is looking at a different route.
People couldn’t drive in or out of Leelanau County for about six hours last August during Ironman 70.3, which is a combination of running, swimming and bicycling.
Leelanau County is a popular summer destination in the northwestern Lower Peninsula.
“We are looking at an alternate course that would not include Leelanau,” Trevor Tkatch, chief executive of Traverse City Tourism, told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. “We know there were a lot of challenges with (the 2019) route and we’re trying to come up with a plan that addresses those challenges.”
County commissioners have said race organizers didn’t have permits to close roads. They’ve asked the attorney general’s office to investigate.
Empire Township Supervisor Carl Noonan said drivers weren’t able to cross M-72, the main route between Lake Michigan and Traverse City.
“That was a hardship,” Noonan said. “We’ve all experienced bike races, but this is a race we’ve never seen the likes of.”
More than 2,000 people have signed up for the Aug. 30 Ironman event.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.