The Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas North American Championship returns to The Woodlands on April 22, and with it comes an influx of visitors, a new bike route and road closures.

In previous years, the race has brought in about 18,000 spectators and around 2,800 athletes to The Woodlands, according to township officials. Roads will see some lane closures and delays due to the event from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The triathlon features a 2.4-mile swim in Lake Woodlands, a 112-mile bike route and ends with a 26.2-mile run in The Woodlands. However, this year’s race will feature a new bike route on the Hardy Toll Road.

John Powers, The Woodlands Township assistant general manager for community services, said the bike route will travel south on Grogans Mill Road, leaving Town Center and heading to the Hardy Toll Road past FM 1960.

“There will be a lot less of a traffic impact now for The Woodlands area,” Powers said.

Powers said the bike course of the race will mostly affect road closures on the Grogans Mill segment and Sawmill Road and Sawdust Road intersections. Aside from the bike portion of the triathlon, the swimming portion of the triathlon will take place in Lake Woodlands.

“Last year with the Tax Day floods, we had poor water quality,” Powers said. “We’ve been monitoring the water quality and there are no issues right now.”

Township board Chairman Gordy Bunch said the township monitors the effects of the race each year.

“We monitor the impact every year to see the long-term viability of the routes,” Bunch said. “We are conscious of routes that are a imposition to people.”

Bunch said The Woodlands remains an ideal spot for the popular triathlon because of unique amenities and the ability to accommodate the three elements of the Ironman race: biking, swimming and running.