More than 3,200 Triathletes from U.S., Abroad Race to Benefit Greater Wilmington Family YMCA

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of triathletes from 43 states and 7 nations will enter the water in Wrightsville Beach to compete in the upcoming Wilmington YMCA Triathlon on September 21 and the PPD Beach2Battleship Full and Half Iron Distance Triathlon on Oct. 26.

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/PH76253-b)

These 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 fall triathlon season on the Carolina coast begins at Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Saturday, September 21 with the 16-mile Wilmington YMCA Triathlon. This U.S.A. Triathlon-sanctioned sprint distance event is the biggest race in the AAA Car Care North Carolina Triathlon Series.

"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," said Nicholas Montoya, general manager of Blockade Runner. "While triathlons are an individual sport more often than not, it takes a lot of support from friends and family."

Montoya himself is a triathlete who will compete in his 10^th triathlon this year.

The Wilmington YMCA Triathlon begins soundside at Blockade Runner with a 1,500-meter saltwater swim with an incoming tide. This is followed by a 20k (12.5-mile) bike course over the drawbridge with a turn onto scenic Airlie Road, and a 5k (3.1-mile) run course on the landmark John Nesbitt Loop.

At daybreak October 26, the PPD Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon enters the world spotlight. Both the Full and Half Iron Distance events are sold out, with the exception of 50 charity slots for the Full Iron Distance. Thousands of spectators will take in the triathlon along the 140.6-mile route.

The B2B action begins at the south end of Wrightsville Beach with a 2.4-mile (full), 1.2-mile (half) saltwater swim on an incoming tide. Following the swim, 112-mile and 56-mile bike courses will take competitors from urban highways, along an interstate, rural routes, and the final stretch, a bridge crossing over the Cape Fear River toward Wilmington. The 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile run courses will wind through downtown Wilmington with loops around picturesque Greenfield Lake.

Proceeds from both the triathlons benefit the Greater Wilmington Family YMCA. Dick Jones, CEO of the YMCA said, "This year we're going to provide more than $250,000 worth of scholarships for people who want to participate in our programs with their children but can't afford to do so. Our perspective is that we don't want someone to say, 'I could not afford to participate in the YMCA.' I just don't want to hear that, so we make sure money is available."

Wilmington YMCA Triathlon information: http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2287

Beach2Battleship Triathlon information: www.beach2battleship.com

Accommodations and training information: www.blockade-runner.com/tri-paradise/

Read complete article here: http://www.ncpressrelease.com/nc-triathlons/

Contact:
Dick Jones, CEO
Wilmington Family YMCA
910-251-9622
Email

Robert B Butler | PR | http://www.ncpressrelease.com

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SOURCE Wilmington Family YMCA