ROCKFORD, IL — The Rev. Corey Brackenridge and his congregation were surprised a year ago to find the street leading to United Faith Baptist Church closed because of IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford.
There was no way around, and police weren’t about to endanger the competitors or the parishioners by letting vehicles onto Pierpont Avenue.
“It was a disaster,” Brackenridge said. “I understand the IRONMAN contest and what it can do for the city itself, but … we felt treated unfairly — our church, we were not given any warning, or no discussion was had with us to even let us know that this was going to take place on a Sunday. We were trying to pull up to our church for worship. I have a lot of elderly members and we had to park several blocks away and it was pretty warm that day.”
It was, in fact, a sweltering day. Temperature gauges got as high as 94 degrees on June 22.
As the June 14 competition approaches this year, Brackenridge said he is working with city officials and race organizers to make sure there isn’t a repeat of last year.
Although they were eventually allowed to reach the church, services started more than an hour late, he said, and some parishioners weren’t able to make it there at all.
Lessons were learned
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said Brackenbridge’s church wasn’t the only one impacted.
The city and GoRockford learned a lot from hosting the event for the first time last year, McNamara said.
This year, GoRockford and city public works officials are working with churches, pastors and parishioners to coordinate routes for those who will be impacted and advising them on the routes they can take to reach church during the event.
And some churches — knowing that IRONMAN is coming June 14 and what that will mean — are planning to hold services later in the day to avoid road closures all together.
But no matter what happens there will still be some people inconvenienced by the massive race.
Despite that, it is worthwhile to host it, McNamara said. The race attracted athletes from 45 nations and 45 states while generating $7 million in economic activity.
“With all that said, yes, it will be inconvenient,” McNamara said. “Yes, it is on Sunday. Yes, we will still have this international event that will draw thousands of people to our community.”
Golf carts to the rescue
IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford requires the coordination of eight police agencies and public works teams from three municipalities and Winnebago County.
The triathlon draws athletes from around the world who compete in a 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile bike race and 13.1-mile half-marathon. There were more than 2,280 participants last year and about 10,000 spectators for the free to watch event.
Most of the event takes place in downtown Rockford. But the bike portion of the race travels through the countryside of northwestern Winnebago County and reaches downtown Rockton.
It requires many roads at various times especially in the morning to be closed for the safety of the competitors and spectators.
Brackenridge said arrangements are being made to allow his parishioners to park at the nearby Rockford Fire Department training facility this year. From there they will be brought to the church via a golf cart that will act as a shuttle.
Ald. Tamir Bell, D-13, said it was one of several accommodations that are being made to make sure folks can reach church and work during this year’s IRONMAN.
There is no way to eliminate all inconveniences when organizing an event the size and magnitude of the IRONMAN. Nor is there a way to speak to everyone who will be impacted, Bell said, but the city and race organizers are attempting to improve communication this year and making more accommodations.
“We’re super proud to have such an amazing opportunity to host a worldwide event,” Bell said. “So we’re excited as a community, but those who aren’t participating and won’t be attending the event, also need to continue on with living their life.”
Road closures for traffic will run from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race day, but some will be closed in downtown Rockford before then for setup. Major road closures include:
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Churches seek path to worship during this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
