YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon
- Date Sat 26th September 2026
- Time 6:50AM EDT
- Location Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
- Price $50.38 - $131.00
- Races 4 races
- Distances Sprint
Event summary
Join the excitement at the YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in the stunning coastal town of Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover. This iconic event, originally launched in 1979, has grown into a beloved tradition for both local athletes and triathlon enthusiasts from afar. With a flat course and short distances, it's perfect for novice triathletes looking to make their debut, while also serving as an exhilarating time trial for seasoned competitors.
The triathlon features a traditional sprint distance alongside a youth triathlon, making it a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to get involved in the sport. Additionally, the newly introduced Corporate Relay Division invites local businesses to compete for a coveted trophy and bragging rights that last a whole year! Experience the thrill, camaraderie, and vibrant atmosphere of this long-standing event that has become a staple in the triathlon community. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a legacy that celebrates fitness, community, and the beautiful backdrop of Wrightsville Beach!
The triathlon features a traditional sprint distance alongside a youth triathlon, making it a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to get involved in the sport. Additionally, the newly introduced Corporate Relay Division invites local businesses to compete for a coveted trophy and bragging rights that last a whole year! Experience the thrill, camaraderie, and vibrant atmosphere of this long-standing event that has become a staple in the triathlon community. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a legacy that celebrates fitness, community, and the beautiful backdrop of Wrightsville Beach!
Organiser's Description
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 its 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.
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 its 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.
Races
-
Individual
Incl. $8.38 Fee & Unisex Blended Shirt
Sat 26th September 2026 (6:50AM EDT)
$93.38
OPENS 30 NOV -
Relay
Incl. $11.00 Fee & Unisex Blended Shirt
Sat 26th September 2026 (6:50AM EDT)
$131.00
OPENS 30 NOVWant to be part of the corporate challenge? Talk to your company about getting involved. To be part of the challenge, it requires a relay team to consist of two or more athletes with prizes for fastest corporate team and company with highest number of athlete participants. Corporate trophy give to fastest team to display in their offices until next years race. When you register, you must put your company name as a relay team or if you are an individual, you must put your affiliation during registration. -
Aquabike
Incl. $6.13 Fee & Unisex Blended Shirt
Sat 26th September 2026 (7:00AM EDT)
$61.13
OPENS 30 NOV -
Youth Triathlon
Incl. $5.38 Fee & Unisex Blended Shirt
Sat 26th September 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$50.38
OPENS 30 NOV
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Wrightsville Beach Town Hall, 321 Causeway Dr., Wrightsville Beach, 28480, NC, United States
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YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon
