YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon

Founded in 1979, as the Pepsi Triathlon, the YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon is a favorite event among locals and triathletes near and far. This event creates a lot of excitement and enthusiasm within the race community because of its scenic location in beautiful Wrightsville Beach. The course is flat and the distances are short, making it a great first event for new triathletes, and a great time trial for more experienced racers.  

In recent years, the YMCA has added a Youth Triathlon event in addition to the traditional Sprint Triathlon, increasing the participation in younger athletes. The Y has also added a Corporate Relay Division to encourage local businesses to come out and compete for a very large trophy to display in their business, not to mention bragging rights for the year! 

Today the event is comprised of the traditional sprint triathlon and a youth triathlon, increasing the participation in younger athletes. We've also introduced a corporate relay division to encourage businesses to come out and compete for a very large trophy to display in their office, not to mention bragging rights for the year! 

Race History

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina's Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon first held in 1979, was the brainchild of Karl Sutter, a then resident of Wrightsville Beach. Karl was competitive by nature and had been college swimmer. A few years after college, Karl had taken up running to get back in shape, and one day sprained his ankle and then turned to cycling as an outlet for fitness while his injury healed. When reading Sports Illustrated in the spring of ‘79 he noticed a small article about the first Ironman triathlon with it’s 12 participants that was held in Hawaii the prior fall. Karl approached the local YMCA which was under the direction of Jack Morris at the time, and a new event for the area was born. This triathlon originally named the Pepsi YMCA Triathlon would become the first and longest running triathlon on the east coast of the US with its start of 99 participants that September, 1979.

After discussions with the North Carolina DEQ and USA Triathlon, we have decided to proceed with the swim as planned. Here are the details for your understanding:
There is still a precautionary swim advisory for the public. This means that bacteria have been detected in the water, but the levels are below the EPA standards for a full-blown swim advisory.
The datasheet from samples collected yesterday in Banks Channel is attached. Although the results are all below the single sample standard of 104 / 100 mL of sample, the precautionary swim advisory remains in effect due to the logarithmic average (5 samples collected within 30 days) of station #22G. The DEQ stated that the sample collection was done at an optimal tide.
An incoming tide is the best-case scenario for the cleanest water, and you will be swimming 3 hours after low tide and 3 hours before high tide. This provides the best conditions for the cleanest water.
Levels since Tuesday have steadily declined. The testing done yesterday showed significantly lower levels than on Tuesday. Additionally, we have another full day of tidal cycles today, which will further improve the water quality.
If you are still uncomfortable with swimming, we will allow you to defer to 2025.
If you would like to defer
Please log in to your RunSignUp account, go to PROFILE, click on MANAGE REGISTRATION, and select DEFER REGISTRATION. Note that this deferral period will close tonight at midnight. After this deadline, deferrals will not be processed, and we will not be able to accommodate requests for deferral once the race has started.

OPEN THE 2024 ATHLETE GUIDE

As our way of saying thank you for your service to our country, we would like to offer you a 25% discount on your race registration.  At check out please enter coupon code USA2024. Please note the military discount is not applicable with bundle pricing. 

We ask that you present your military ID at packet pick up to validate your discount.

*  The course is flat (not a surprise) as the race is at the coast.
*  The one loop course takes participants over the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge and onto the mainland.
*  Participants need to be very careful crossing the metal grading on the drawbridge - don't make any sudden turns or movements (ride carefully!!).

Presented by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Team up with your colleagues to represent your company on race day! We are challenging Wilmington’s local businesses to take home the “Corporate Cup” and bragging rights for the year! The Corporate Relay division will award both the fastest team and the company with the highest number of athlete participants in the relay division. The company with the fastest team will win a trophy to display in their office until next year’s race– not to mention bragging rights!

• Relays can be comprised of 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event)
• Teams can consist of any mix of genders
• Corporate relay participants must be an employee or direct family member of an employee

Click here to learn more about relay teams and rules.

USAT Sanctioned: This event is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Cut-Off Time: All participants must complete the race in under 2 hours, 30 minutes from the start of their swim. Event officials reserve the right to pull a participant off the course if it appears as though that participant will not be able to complete the race in under 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Minimum Age: The minimum age allowed for participating in this event is 10 years old for the full sprint and 7 for the youth triathlon.

Timing System: This event will be timed using the ChampionChip Timing System. All run turn locations will have timing mats to verify completion of the course.

USTA Rules

Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules:

Blocking

Drafting

Position

USAT's "Age Up" Policy:

An athlete's age for any USAT sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31, 2024. The age he/she is on 12/31 will determine his/her racing age group. If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the athlete's birthday. This action aligns regular U.S. age group racing with the method used by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings Program.
Examples:
John Smith is 39 and will turn 40 on November 20, 2024. John will be considered 40 for all 2024 races - and will race in the 40-44 age group at all 2024 races.
Sally Jones is 29 and will turn 30 on July 3, 2024. Sally will be considered 30 for all 2024 races - and will race in the 30-34 age group at all 2024 races.

In the event of inclement weather the following procedures will be followed:

The event will be postponed in hopes the inclement weather will pass. If the inclement weather does not pass in time to complete the event safely in the original or modified format, the event will be canceled. If the weather passes and the event cannot be held within the permitted time limits, the event will be changed to a duathlon format and possibly modified in length to meet these restrictions.

Every effort will be made to hold this event on time on this date. Should this event be canceled due to an Act of God or other circumstance beyond the race directors control there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy.

By registering for this event you agree to this weather policy.

Top 3 athletes will be awarded in the each of the following categories:

• Advanced (M & F)
• Age Groups (M & F):20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over
• Clydesdales (Males 220 Lbs +)
• Athenas (Females 165 Lbs +)
• Aquabike (M & F)
• Novice (M & F)
• Relay Teams (1 category only)
• Corporate Relay Team (1 category only)

YOUTH DIVISIONS:

As part of the NC Junior Development Tri Series  we will be awarding youth age groups in the following categories for youth

• 7-8yr Youth Triathlon
• 9-10yr Youth Triathlon
• 11-12yr Youth Triathlon
• 13-15yr Youth Triathlon 
  
  
• 13-15yr Wrightsville Beach Sprint Tri - Full Course
  16-19yr Wrightsville Beach Sprint Tri - Full Course

NCTS Category Rules

NCTS rules state that once you compete in a particular race category in an NCTS race - you must remain in that same category for all future NCTS races in that calendar year. The exceptions to this rule are the Aquabike, Novice and Weight categories. You may begin the year as a Novice and then switch into another qualifying category (ie: Age Group, Clydesdale). For Weight categories (Clydesdale 220+ and Athena 165+) it allows for you to drop to Age Group if you go below the weight limit for the category - however you won't transfer any race results and awards to your new category.  If you switch to Aquabike you can switch back to your previous category at any time without penalty.

Below is a brief description of each race category:

Advanced: Category for Elite participants. These are typically the fastest people in the race and they compete on an Elite/Professional level.
Age Group: Participants competing in their age group.
Clydesdale: Category for men who are over 220 lbs.
Athena: Category for women over 165 lbs.
Aquabike: Category for participants doing the Swim and the Bike only. Your race ends when you cross the Bike Finish mat.
Novice: Category for beginner participants. Participants competing as a Novice have usually done less than 3 events. No age restrictions.
NOTE: You may fit into one or more of the above categories, so whichever category you choose to compete in is completely your choice. Choose the category that you feel you would have the most fun competing in.

The YMCA Wrightsville Beach triathlon first held in 1979 was the brainchild of Karl Sutter, then a resident of the beach. Karl was competitive by nature and had been college swimmer , then a few years after college had taken up running to get back in shape.  While running one day he sprained his ankle and turned to cycling as an outlet for fitness while his injury healed. When reading Sports Illustrated in the spring of ‘79 he noticed a small article about the first Ironman triathlon with it’s 12 participants that was held in Hawaii the prior fall. Karl approached the Wilmington YMCA which was under the direction of Jack Morris at the time and a new event for the area was born. This triathlon named the Pepsi/Ymca Triathlon would become the first and longest running triathlon on the east coast of the US with its start of 99 participants that September, 1979.

The course was laid out and the swim would be across Banks channel from the Blockade Runner sound side beach to The South Channel dr. mini park on Harbor Island where there were stairs to exit the water. The cycling took the then favored training route of the time off the beach following Greenville, Masonboro, and Myrtle Grove Loop roads, south on Carolina bch rd , over Snows Cut bridge to follow Dow rd to Kure Bch where the first water stop would be. From there back through Carolina Bch , back over the big bridge and up River rd to downtown Wilmington. Once in downtown the run took the  course established by the Wilmington Jaycees and their River to the Sea run route of Market st, through Forrest hills to Park ave switching to Wrightsville ave to continue to the finish at Wrightsville Beach Park. The distances were 1/2 mile swim, 42 miles on the bike, followed by the 10 mile run. All 99 triathlets finished that first year.

During these first years and being an infant sport about the only rule was each athlete had to wear a helmet. The transition area was a grassy park and one could choose a spot to park your bike, there were no bike racks. Most current day rules did not exist. Drafting and personal support cars with spare bikes/parts was just fair game. We had very little traffic control and for the most part we fended for ourselves while on the road. Nutrition during the event was granola, fruit, soft drinks, and candy bars. Gels and energy bars were not yet invented. The common practice of the day was to change clothes for each leg of the race too. Tri shorts came in the mid 80’s.

Over the years the distances and routes changed to meet the different time periods. Those first years the distances almost matched the current 1/2 Ironman distance which is 1.1 mile swim followed with a 56 mile bike ride and then a 13.1 mile run. A full Ironman is 2.2 swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. In some of the following years the then popular “olympic” distance of 1/2 mile swim, 26 mile bike, and a 10 k run was the distance to be counted on to draw the necessary  number of participants to make the event successful.. Currently and for the last number of years the event went to the popular Sprint distance of 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. This distance helped grow the number of athletes and as of 2010 stands at more than 1400 paid entries.  

Karl Sutter  was the race director the first year and handed over the job to Jim Mincher who  took over responsibilities for the 1980 and 1981 events. The following  year Jim Ritch had fun being race director but after a 2 year stint relinquished the reins to yet another Jim  who was Jim Honneycutt. All four of these directors were members of the YMCA , the Wilmington Road Runners and  The Cape Fear Cyclists clubs here in Wilmington. Without the help from the club members organizing the triathlon would have been difficult. To keep from burning out the volunteer race directors the YMCA took over the organizing  responsibilities with Y staff. This led to Nancy Rife, Perry Maxwell, and Gray Lambeth  taking the duties for the next 20 years. Setup Events (an event coordination business from Kure Bch) with founder Bill Scott  partnered with the Y  in year 2000 and the event has flourished with 1200-1400 entries selling out months in advance. This jump in attendance was due to triathlons gaining in popularity as a “new” sport, changing to the short “sprint” distance which was more achievable for most people, and Bill Scott’s newer established race production company.
 
Each summer as the mid September event draws near the triathletes come in droves to Wrightsville Beach each morning. On just about any morning as the sun begins to shine at the beach all sorts of friend/family groups hit the waters and pavement in and around W Bch to ready themselves for the fun of doing the race. For some this race has become an annual family tradition while others dabble in the swim, bike, and running event to see just what it is all about. All triathlons draw the serious athletes who are very fast and take the sport seriously. This race is an event for all types of people and the reasons for participation vary so wide one could write a book.

One local resident Frazier Perry age 81 has participated nearly every year and continues to do so.  The late Henry forrest was one of the original 12 triathletes in the first Hawaiian Ironman event  back in 1978. Henry had the luck to be stationed at Camp Lejune for much of his career in the marines and also participated in the YMCA race for many years. He even went back to Hawaii to participate in the 25th anniversary full Ironman event and did a respectable time of at the age of 50 something. Sadly Henry was taken by Pancreatic cancer or he would still be on the starting line as excited as ever and ready to hear the start gun.

This event  has become a major fund raiser for the YMCA over the years. According to Dick Jones the  current Y director this event raises money for community outreach in our county. Dick has also turned into a triathlete much because of the good energy being radiated from all involved in such a great event. While interviewing Dick for this article he just wanted to thank the Town of Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover county, and The city of Wilmington for allowing such a major event to take place, because without their cooperation it would not be possible.
 
1979 
Race Director - Karl Sutter  
Course :
Swim - 1/4 mile - across Banks Channel 
Bike - 42 miles  - to Kure Beach via Greenfield Loop, Masonboro Loop rd, River rd to Downtown Wilmington 
Run - 10 miles - Downtown Wilmington to the Wrightsville Beach park (the established River to the Sea run course)
 
1980-1981 
Race Director - Jim Mincher  
Course - same course as above for two years
 
1982-1983 
Race Director - Jim Ritch  
Course: 
Swim 1.1 miles -  Blockade Runner to to Atlantic Marine
Bike - 35 miles - Kure Bch via Masonboro Loop rd to River road miles with transition on River road
Run 10K - to and around Greenfield Lake to Finish at the Amphitheater 
Misc - There was a hurricane the few days before one of the events
  
1984-1985 
Race Director - Jim Honeycutt  
Course : International distance 
Swim - 1.2 miles ( Blockade Runner to Atlantic Marine) 
Bike - 27 miles (down Greenville Loop rd, Masonboro Loop rd, Golden rd, Carolina Beach rd, Oleander dr back to the Beach
Run - 10K - Wbch Park to Shell Island and back to the park 
  
1986-1990
Race Director - Nancy Rife (YMCA employee)
Course : International distance
Same as before 
 
1991-1999 
Race Director - Perry Maxwell (YMCA employee)
Course - International Dist
Misc - Hurricane Fran cancelled the event in 1996
Hurricane Floyd cancelled the event in 1999
 
2000
Race Director - Gray Lambeth (YMCA employee)
Course - international
Misc - Participation dropped to approx 250 people over a 4-5 year period
 
2001-2011
Race Director - Gray Lambeth 
Set Up Events took over race production
Course- changed to sprint distance in 2001 to up participation 
Participation rose steadily to over 1400 by 2010
 
2011-2017
Director- YMCA Staff
Course - sprint - basically the current course as of 2016
A few years the bike was out and back on Eastwood road - two loops 
 
2018-2019
Director – Tom Clifford
Course – Sprint + Youth Triathlon

• Relays can comprise of a 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event). Teams can consist of any mix of genders.
• EACH Relay member MUST pick up his/her own packet.
• EACH Member MUST have their photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) to pick up their packet.
• If a member is a minor (17 or under), then a parent/guardian must show an ID to get their packet.
• If a member turns 18 by the end of 2021 they are considered an Adult per USAT, thus they must pick up their own packet.
• If you need to replace a relay member you can e-mail us using the Contact Us button at the top of the page with the changes.
• If it is the week of the event and you need to make a change to a relay member then you can make this change at packet pick up.
• At packet pick up you will be given a sheet of paper that explains how the relays will work (chip handoff, tagging spot, etc.).
• If you are an individual that wishes to switch to a relay team, log into your profile and click on change category next to the event you wish to convert to a relay. It will walk you through the steps to change from an individual to a relay.

CORPORATE RELAY CHALLENGE

Team up with your colleagues to represent your company on race day! This year we are challenging Wilmington’s local businesses to take home the “Corporate Cup” and bragging rights for the year! The Corporate Relay division will award both the fastest team and the company with the highest number of athlete participants in the relay division. The company with the fastest team will win a trophy to display in their office until next year’s race– not to mention bragging rights!

• Relays can be comprised of 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event)
• Teams can consist of any mix of genders
• Corporate relay participants must be an employee or direct family member of an employee

Who will take the corporate cup this year?!

*  The 5K run course is a one-loop design and also flat.
*  The run takes place on the very popular "loop" at Wrightsville Beach with 90% of the run being on the sidewalk system.
*  The other 10% is on a very quiet side street - used to get the necessary distance.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 - Beer on Tap
3:00pm to 6:00pm - Two Wheeler Dealer Pre race Party

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20th, 2024

2:00pm-7:00pm: Packet Pickup
4:00pm to 7:00pm: (RECOMMENDED) Optional Bike Check In Wrightsville Beach Park (321 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480)
5:00pm: Youth Triathlon Walkthrough
6:00pm: Pre-Race Q&A Meeting

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21st, 2024

5:00am-6:45am: Transition Opens
5:00am-6:30am: Packet Pick-Up
5:00am-6:30am: Chip Pickup (athletes will be required to self body mark on hands only)
7:00am: Transition Closes
6:50am: Sprint Triathlon Starts
8:00am: Youth Triathlon Start

9:00am: lighthouse beer and wine open for post race beer

10:00am: Awards Ceremony

GETTING TO THE START

All participants can walk to the start.  The start is a 3/4 mile walk or jog from transition.  We will have one traffic lane closed from Wynn Plaza to the Blockade Runner Beach Start area with bathrooms located on the way

Participant List is not sortable

List will be updated each Monday

This traditional sprint triathlon event starts out with a 1,350 yard swim - which is unusual for a sprint distance triathlon. The reason the swim is longer than the normal sprint distance swim is because the swim is a point-to-point swim that always takes place with an incoming tide. In fact, check out the swim times from previous years - the swim actually seems more like 750 - 1,000 yards depending on how fast the current is moving. The swim takes place in a channel system between Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC. It is important to note that while this swim takes place in salt water - this is not an ocean swim.

Transportation to Swim Start
Athletes will walk to the  swim start location at the Blockade Runner Resort.  You can also get dropped off..  The start is about 3/4 mile from the transition area.  

Wetsuits
A decision on wetsuits is made on race day as the water temperature at this time of year along the southeastern North Carolina coast is always around 78 degrees. We will post a water temperature on our website the Thursday night of race week.

USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. 
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards or USAT ranking points.
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is 84 degrees or higher, wetsuits may not be worn.

The YMCA Wrightsville Beach Youth Triathlon will start when the final participant in the traditional sprint event exits the water.  The swim will consist of a 100m out and back in open water. The bike course will be a modified version of the traditional sprint triathlon, approximately 4 miles long. Youth athletes will finish with a 1.6 mile loop.

Age Divisions

As part of the NC Junior Development Tri Series  we will be awarding age groups in the following categories for youth

7-8yr Youth Triathlon
9-10yr Youth Triathlon
11-12yr Youth Triathlon
13-15yr Youth Triathlon 

13-15yr Wrightsville Beach Sprint Tri - Full Course
16-19yr Wrightsville Beach Sprint Tri - Full Course

Youth Triathlon Course

There will be a mandatory meeting for all youth triathletes on Friday the day before the race at 5:00pm Wrightsville Beach Park to walk through the course, and answer any questions.  The exact meeting location will be sent out via email.  If you cannot make the meeting, we will do a Zoom call Thursday evening at 8:00pm which will be recorded.

The Youth Triathlon race will begin at Seapath Marina after the final adult swimmer has finished the swim portion of the race.

Participant List is not sortable

List will be updated each Monday

Sprint:

Swim:  1150 meters
Bike:  11.5 miles
Run:  5K

Youth:

Swim: 200 meters
Bike: 4 miles
Run:  1.6 miles

Traditional Sprint Triathlon

This traditional sprint triathlon event starts out with a 1,350 yard swim - which is unusual for a sprint distance triathlon. The reason the swim is longer than the normal sprint distance swim is because the swim is a point-to-point swim that always takes place with an incoming tide. In fact, check out the swim times from previous years - the swim actually seems more like 750 - 1,000 yards depending on how fast the current is moving. The swim takes place in a channel system between Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC. It is important to note that while this swim takes place in salt water - this is not an ocean swim.

Swim Course

Transportation to Swim Start
Athletes will walk to the swim start location at the Blockade Runner Resort.  You can also get dropped off..  The start is about 3/4 mile from the transition area.  

Wetsuits
A decision on wetsuits is made on race day as the water temperature at this time of year along the southeastern North Carolina coast is always around 78 degrees. We will post a water temperature on our website the Thursday night of race week.

Bike Course

The course is flat (not a surprise) as the race is at the coast. The one loop course takes participants over the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge and onto the mainland.
Participants need to be very careful crossing the metal grading on the drawbridge - don't make any sudden turns or movements (ride carefully!!).

Run Course

The 5K run course is a one-loop design and also flat. The run takes place on the very popular "loop" at Wrightsville Beach with 90% of the run being on the sidewalk system. The other 10% is on a very quiet side street - used to get the necessary distance.