Hy-Vee Triathlon Update

After a great weekend for the Principal Charity Classic, we can look forward to another busy weekend in West Des Moines with visitors from around the country.

I mentioned before that the City of West Des Moines is proud to host bike portion of the age-group (aka amateur or citizen’s race) event. We expect thousands of athletes, spectators, and volunteers to come together in the metro area for this exciting event. We are thrilled to have such fine competitors and triathlon enthusiasts as visitors in our community!

Age group competitors will traverse a great span of our City via EP True Parkway and catch a glimpse of one of our regional attractions—the Jordan Creek Town Center—as they circle it midway on the route.

I’d like to thank Hy-Vee for working with us every step of the way during this event and thank City staff and the numerous volunteers who are helping to make this event safe and smooth for the riders.

Route through WDM: Riders will enter West Des Moines via Grand Avenue at 1st Street (63rd Street in Des Moines). Riders will then turn left on 1st Street and proceed south to Railroad Avenue. They will take a right on Railroad Avenue and head west, traveling E.P True Parkway to the north entrance of the Jordan Creek Town Center Mall. After circling the mall, bicyclists will retrace their original path.

As of June 5 over 1500 competitors were signed up for the race representing 38 states and 3 countries, with about half from Iowa. Due to the density bike traffic will reach at some points during the race, the city is closing First Street, Railroad Avenue and E.P. True Parkway to vehicular traffic until the last rider clears the course (race official have estimated roads will be closed from 6 am to 9:30 or 10 am). The intersection of Grand Avenue and First Street will also be closed as riders come in from Des Moines on Grand.

Traffic cones will channel the neighborhood cars and bicycles in separate lanes. Neighborhoods whose only major street access is located directly on the bicycle course may have different exit routes that morning. Please plan your morning accordingly!! Affected neighborhoods should have received letters from both Hy-vee and the City of West Des Moines regarding this change. Information is also posted on the West Des Moines website--click here. There will be a rolling reopening of streets as the race leaves the City.

A watch spot has been set up at Jordan Creek Parkway, so I encourage residents to gather there to see the turnaround point of the race. Of course, there are several festivities surrounding the afternoon elite professional World Cup event in downtown Des Moines you may be interested in as well--click here for that information.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation this weekend! This is a new event for the City but we are proud to have been selected as one of the hosts for this world class event.