Should a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway be closed for a triathlon?/NPS file
An organization that runs Ironman events wants the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia to close 21 miles of the scenic highway to the public for a day in early June to allow for the road bike component of the race.
Public comment is being taken on the proposal by the National Park Service through February 1.
The Special Use Permit request comes from The IRONMAN Group, which wants 21 miles of the bicycle ride during its triathlon to take place on the Parkway on Sunday, June 5. The permit application requests a full closure of both directions of the motor road take effect the afternoon of Saturday, June 4, 2022, from Milepost 91 (VA State Route 43) to Milepost 112 (VA State Route 24); and reopen by mid-afternoon on Sunday, June 5.
Because event organizers have submitted a closure request as part of the permit application for a second year of this large-scale, regional event, park managers are providing the opportunity to comment on any issue or concern related to a 21-mile closure for this year’s proposed event. Additional management costs related to this proposed permit and incurred by the National Park Service would be the responsibility of the event organizers, per National Park Service policy.
The public is invited to provide comments related to the proposed closure at this page.
Comments
Almost every year, for the last 10 years, my husband and I have planned vacations based on riding bicycles on the Parkway, pretty much covering the entire parkway after years of riding sections. I agree completely with the BRP that a for-profit Ironman event is not an appropriate use of the Parkway, and would establish a bad precedent.
Any update on this decision??