Residents and visitors are being reminded to be prepared for disruption on the roads of Dorset ahead of a major sporting event.

The Ironman triathlon returns to Weymouth on Sunday, September 23.

It is an exciting sporting spectacle which will be a major economic boost for the area at what is a quieter time of year.

More than 2,700 athletes will compete in the event – a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile run – and thousands more will visit to support them.

People are warned that roads will be closed and parking restrictions in place for part or all of the day around Weymouth and the surrounding countryside to allow the athletes to compete safely.

Organisers and Dorset County Council want people to be prepared and to consider their travel options if planning a journey.

After the success of last year’s event, and lessons learnt from the year before when there were many complaints, organisers have said they are “sticking to a formula that works.”

There have been frequent meetings between organisers, the council and other interested parties, and parish councils kept informed.

A total of 70,000 letters have been distributed to homes with route plans and warning signs have gone up along the route.

Dorset Highways will be providing marshals at 47 points along the route.

Passes are being made available for care workers who need to get past road closures and visit people in their homes.

The event starts with a swim in Weymouth Bay. This is followed by a mammoth cycle ride, an anti-clockwise loop around Dorset which goes via Preston, Poxwell, Crossways, Puddletown, Piddle Valley, King's Stag and back down to Dorchester via the Old Sherborne Road, to Whitcombe, then back to Preston and Weymouth. The race ends with a run consisting of three laps of Weymouth Esplanade, finishing at the Pavilion.

Many roads are affected but main routes include Weymouth Esplanade and Preston Beach Road which are both closed all day. Preston Road is closed for half a day and the A353 from Preston to Warmwell roundabout is closed eastbound for part of the day.

Short stay car parks in Weymouth town centre will be open but the Pavilion car park and Lodmoor Country Park car park will be closed.

Regarding any diversions, a DCC spokesman said: "There are so many different scenarios that it would be extremely difficult to recommend alternative routes and so diversions are not being suggested or signed.

"On this basis, drivers should make a judgement based on the roads being closed and plan journeys around them. It is not a mandatory requirement to provide diversions."

The spokesman added: "We know the road closures and parking restrictions will affect residents, businesses and visitors, so check what’s happening before the event."

For more information visit ironman.com/Weymouth or email Weymouth@ironmanroadaccess.com or call 03330 116600.