This traditional sprint triathlon begins with a 1,350-yard swim, which is unusually long for a sprint event. The extended distance is due to the point-to-point course and the consistent incoming tide, making the effective swim feel closer to 750–1,000 yards depending on the current’s strength. Held in a channel system between Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, NC, the swim takes place in salt water but is not an ocean swim.

GETTING TO THE START
Athletes will walk to the swim start location at the Trailborn Surf & Sound Hotel.  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.

WAVE STARTS
Wave starts will be sent out Wednesday before the race in the athlete guide.  You will start with your specific wave and swim cap color

WATER SAFETY AND BUOYS
The race provides 15 lifeguards, several water safety volunteers, 4 rescue boats, Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue, and paddle boarders for water assistance.  Our buoys are all for site only.  There is not a specific turn buoy that you have to go around, however it is important to use our site buoys to swim the best course possible.

The bike course is an 11-mile, single-loop route that’s predominantly flat, as you’d expect at the coast. Riders will cross the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge onto the mainland, where they should take extra care navigating the metal grating. Avoid sudden turns, remain seated, and stay out of the aero position for safety. With 21 law enforcement officers on duty, sections of the course are partially closed, though some stretches may still be shared with regular traffic.

Turn-by-Turn With Lane Positioning & Flow

1. Mount Line → Causeway Dr (Westbound, counterflow)

   • Mount on Causeway and ride away from the ocean.

   • You’ll be in a coned, counterflow lane (opposite normal car direction). Stay inside the cones. Keep it straight.

2. Drawbridge (off-island)

   • Cross the bridge in the lane closest to the sidewalk, still in the coned counterflow.

   • Hold your line, no sudden moves. Treat the bridge as a no-pass zone if crowded or wet.

3. LEFT onto Airlie Rd

   • After the bridge, you’ll be directed left onto Airlie Rd.

   • You’ll use the left lane on Airlie Rd, traveling toward Oleander. Follow cones and officers.

4. LEFT onto Oleander Dr

   • Make a left onto Oleander. You’re now lining up for the inland loop toward Greenville Loop Rd.

   • Settle into aero / steady power. This is where riders tend to surge—don’t burn matches.

5. LEFT onto Greenville Loop Rd

   • Turn left onto Greenville Loop Rd. Stay right within your lane unless passing.

   • Watch for rumble strips and areas where the road has blind curves.. Single file if instructed.

6. RIGHT onto Pine Grove Dr

   • Turn right onto Pine Grove Dr and continue to Oleander.

7. RIGHT onto Oleander Dr (return leg toward the beach)

   • Turn right back onto Oleander

8. MERGE RIGHT to Wrightsville Ave

   • Merge right onto Wrightsville Ave. Follow volunteer and cone guidance.

   • Eyes up—this is a merge, not a hard turn. 

9. RIGHT onto Eastwood Rd → back over the Drawbridge

   • Turn right onto Eastwood Rd, head east back to the island.

   • Cross the drawbridge again. Hold your line. Treat it as no-pass if congested/wet.

10. Causeway Dr → Dismount Line

• The drawbridge becomes Causeway Dr. Stay in the coned lane back toward Transition.

• Dismount at the line before entering T2. Don’t ride into Transition—automatic penalty.

Key Athlete Notes (Read This. It Matters.)

• Counterflow = inside the cones, opposite normal traffic. If you’re outside the cones, you’re wrong—fix it immediately.

• Bridges are sketchy when wet. Smooth pedaling, straight bars, no braking in a turn, no sudden standing.

• Passing: Keep right except to pass. Make passes clean and quick; don’t hover in the middle.

• Turns with officers: They’re there to control cross-traffic, not your bike. You’re responsible for your line and speed.

• Merges (Wrightsville Ave): Look, signal, and move with intent. Don’t drift across lanes.

• Dismount: Feet on the ground before the line. If you’re unsure where it is, you’re braking too late.

• Trash/gear: Nothing leaves your bike except sweat. No bottle launches—secure cages and equipment.

The 5K run is a single-loop, flat course along Wrightsville Beach’s popular “loop.” Approximately 90% of the route is on sidewalks, with the remaining 10% following a quiet side street on an out-and-back segment to achieve the required distance.  The finish is at the Wrightsville Beach Park adjacent to Transition.

The swim-to-bike transition involves a roughly 400-meter distance from the ladder exit point to the transition area entrance. You may leave a pair of shoes near the swim exit, although most participants run this stretch barefoot without issue. The bike-to-run transition is much shorter, with the run start located directly outside the transition area.