Are you aware that the Greater Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach areas have become world-class destinations for triathletes? The fall season heralds the arrival of two of the most anticipated events for these athletes, their families, and thousands of spectators.
Wilmington YMCA Triathlon
On Saturday, September 21st, the 16-mile Wilmington YMCA Triathlon kicks off at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. As part of the AAA Car Care N.C. Triathlon Series, this local event is one of the largest of its kind along the Eastern Seaboard. The action will get underway soundside at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort with a 1,500-meter swim through Banks and Motts Channels. Next, athletes transition to a 20k (12.5-mile) cycling course that takes them over the ICW drawbridge and along scenic Airlie Road. The race culminates with a 5k (3.1-mile) run along the famed John Nesbitt “loop,” which takes runners around the park and through the heart of Wrightsville Beach.
Organizers are happy to report a new “beach cruiser” cycling category this year. Designed for casual participants, each entrant will receive a free ticket and be eligible to win a new beach cruiser. This popular event is almost full.
To register for the Wilmington YMCA Triathlon visit: www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2287
PPD Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon
Just a few weeks later on October 26th, the Cape Fear region will be the site of the PPD Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon. There are 50 charity slots open for the Full Iron Distance and the Full and Half Iron Distance events are already sold out.
The 140.6-mile course will take participants from the south end of Wrightsville Beach with a 2.4 mile swim and on to either a 112-mile (Full) or 56-mile (Half) bike course along area highways, rural roads, and I-40. Perhaps the most challenging portion of the cycling course is the home stretch, which takes the athletes over the Cape Fear River and back towards the Port City. Finally the running portions (26.2 mile-Full and 13.1 mile-Half) winds through historic downtown and around lovely Greenfield Lake.
For more information about PPD Beach2Battleship Triathlon, visit: www.beach2battleship.com
Please join Hardee Hunt and Williams in welcoming these athletes, their families, and enthusiastic spectators to the Cape Fear Coast. Collectively, these two events will showcase over 3,200 triathletes from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and almost every U.S. state.
Triathlete Magazine has named October’s Beach2Battleship one of the Top 5 Iron Distance Triathlons in the World.
The general manager of the Blockade Runner Beach resort, Nicholas Montoya, has this to say about the races: “The reason these events appeal to the athletes and their families are the location, time of year, ease of access from the interior of the state, conditions, scenery, and the flat, fast and relatively easy courses.”
We couldn’t agree more, and believe that the abundance of Southern hospitality found in the Greater Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach areas have something to do with the popularity of these events as well!