The Woodlands becomes a meeting place for triathletes from across the country each spring for races, such as the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas and CB&I triathlons.
This year, the CB&I Tri will take place April 30, and the Ironman race will take place May 14.
“These events are not only good for The Woodlands, but also the surrounding areas,” said Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Great places to live feature great events and activities. They make a place dynamic to live and to visit.”
However, not all residents are in favor of the events, which have caused traffic issues in the past.
“The major sporting events like the Ironman and CB&I triathlons bring the community some name recognition, help some businesses, but not all, and cause havoc for people in the neighborhoods they go past,” said Bruce Cunningham, Grogan’s Mill village association president. “While the sheriff and the township have worked hard on managing these events, they leave people stranded in certain neighborhoods and inconvenience many others.”
According to John Powers, assistant general manager of community services at The Woodlands Township, the Ironman Foundation was able to donate $122,000 to local charities last year, including Interfaith of The Woodlands, Montgomery County Youth Services and several more. The event’s total economic contribution for 2015 was $15.9 million.
The total number of athletes registered for last year’s Ironman was 2,744, with 158 from The Woodlands, Powers said.
Both races will take participants through a swimming course in Lake Woodlands as well as a biking and running course in and around the township boundaries.
Pros and cons
Hosting such popular events in The Woodlands comes with benefits and drawbacks. While some residents can plan to stay home or plan an out-of-town trip when these events take over the streets of The Woodlands, others cannot put their schedules on hold.
“I think the vast majority of residents think we have too many events and would like to see them curtailed over time,” Cunningham said. “We certainly do not want any more [events], which will only add to the traffic problems.”
Alden Bridge resident Joann Mancuso said she is in favor of the township hosting events like these because she understands the economic benefits. However, traffic is still an issue for her and her family.
“I do think it hurts some business as residents are not out and about because of the traffic,” she said. “But as a whole, I do feel that organizers have made great strides in improving the traffic flow and limiting the impact.”
Cunningham said The Woodlands Marathon also disrupted the weekly farmers market held in Grogan’s Mill.
“It disrupted our vendors and cut traffic to the market by almost half,” he said. “Of those who did come to the market, many complained about how hard it was to get there.”
Wolda, acknowledging that not all residents are in favor of these events, said various benefits, such as health and fitness opportunities, volunteerism and economic value, continue to make The Woodlands an exciting place to live.
“While these events draw visitors, they are also hugely popular with our own residents and businesses through individual and corporate participation and volunteerism,” he said.
With the growth The Woodlands has seen in population, temporary backups are to be expected during these major events that attract people from outside the township boundaries.
“It is certainly understandable these events cause inconveniences,” Wolda said. “I think it’s critical for people to plan their schedules accordingly.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office will be monitoring traffic and road closures throughout the triathlon events.
“Other than the initial push of competitors, the field tends to get spread out and traffic can move,” Mancuso said. “I live outside of the area that is usually boxed in by the courses, so I have never been greatly affected, but I do have to plan for these things.”
