Locally, the YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint is known as the Wrightsville Beach World Championships. Of course, it’s not - but it was the first triathlon on the east coast and one of the biggest and most popular in our area.

This is a synopsis from the recent athlete guide:

The YMCA Wrightsville Beach triathlon, first held in 1979, was the brainchild of Karl Sutter, then a resident of Wrightsville Beach, NC. There is now a movie made about the triathlon called, ON THIER FIRST TRI. Karl was competitive by nature and had been a 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 its 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 was first named the Pepsi/YMCA Triathlon and would become the first and longest running triathlon on the east coast of the US with its start of 99 participants that September, 1979. 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 the area to ready themselves for the fun of doing this race. For some, this race has become an annual family tradition, while others it might be competitive or just the beginning to see just what it is all about.

On race morning I was up at 4:10AM and prepped coffee, breakfast and packed most of my gear for our trip to transition. Ace woke up around 5:00AM and by 5:20, we were headed to the WB park to prep our bikes, drop shoes at the swim finish and socialize with just about every athlete in town. I made a game-day decision to drop shoes at Seapath and I’m glad I did. I remembered somewhere in the middle of the night that the last time I’d been to the park there was goose (and thus goose poop), fire ants and wet grass. Plus, it’s almost 400 yards from the swim ladder to my bike on concrete and asphalt. I knew my bunions would appreciate shoes over bare feet. #oldlady

We drove back to the beach house and walked with Tonya and Keith to the swim start at the Blockade Runner. It was a good chance to warm up. The stars were so twinkly and the breeze was warm(ish).

We stood in allegiance to the flag and I sang along (loudly) with the National Anthem Neal headed to get in the water for his wave. Tonya and I got in the water on the south side of the pier and swam around for a quick warm-up in the water. It was warm. I second-guessed my wetsuit - but then thought - why not? I need to practice in it and it might give me a little speed advantage. We swam a bit and then Tonya went to get into her wave. I walked around a bit looking for Erica - and ended up chatting with Annette and Joan and several other friends before finally getting back in the water with my wave.

I stayed back at first, but then got brave and moved up to the front of my wave in the middle of the first row. I wanted clear water and clear sighting off the buoys. Plus, I wanted to be one of the first women in my age group.

I crushed my swim! I was pleased with my form goggles and a kicking current. I finished in under 20 minutes. I was right: I had clear water and didn’t get hassled by too many swimmers. I took off my wetsuit right after I crossed the timing mat and then ran down the concrete walkway along the condos and put on my shoes. I was so glad I did!

I got to transition and found Tonya! Her spot was three spaces over on the same rack. She was sitting on the ground prepping for the bike. I’m trying to beat you out of transition! She exclaimed. You better go! I teased back.

I tried to slow myself down this time. The week before - at Nationals - I had hurried and botched my transition. I remembered a mantra from Ironman Maryland: smooth is strong and strong is fast. I slowed down and dressed from top to toe. Headband, shades, helmet, socks, shoes. [WHYYYYYYY do socks and shoes take sooooo long?] It took a moment to unrack my bike and by the time I looked up…..Tonya was gone.

I caught her just before the mount line. TONYA! You still have on your swim skin! I shouted. I think she might have cussed as I passed her. I found out later that she propped her bike against some of the fencing, took off her shoes, shimmied off the swim skin, balled it up in her tri top bra, put on her shoes and took off for the bike.

I spent the first five minutes in chill mode. In this race, there is no point in passing anyone until you get over the drawbridge and onto Airlie Road. About a mile in, I started picking off cyclists two at a time. There are so many newbies in this race and it’s easy to pass hybrids, cruisers and roadies. I burned a match on Airlie as I passed on the uphill. By the time I got to Greenville Loop Road, I was a bit winded and decided to dial it back again. I tried to bring my heart rate down and was passed by some guy who’d stuck to my wheel in those first few miles. Two miles later, I passed him and secretly vowed to stay ahead of him. I was really on the look-out for Neal who had a 12-minute head start. He was wearing red and there were a few decoys on Oleander - but I didn’t see him or catch him. The last bit of the ride is a lot like the first - bridge, cones, new riders and all sorts of craziness before the dismount line.

I made it to my bike rack in transition and realized somebody had put their bike right on top of my stuff. He literally put his wheel in between my run shoes on my towel. I shoved his bike over three spaces and put Lana back in place. I switched shoes, took of my helmet, grabbed my run belt and took off. I eased into my run.

The first mile has a great out and back where you can spot other athletes. Aside from the finish the out and back on Harbor Island (in the first mile) is the bet par t of the race. This was where I finally saw Ace. I saw Ace as I was headed north and he was headed south. He was about a half mile ahead of me.

I had a pretty good run and came across the line at 1:32:45. Bill Scott gave me a knuckle-bump and Ace handed me the coldest water ever! We had some snacks, waited for Tonya to cross the line and congratulated 1 million of our friends as they crossed the line. The finish line always feels like a festival at the end of this race.

We headed back to transition to pack up our gear and I checked the results. I came in second in my age group! I decided to stay for awards and Ace and Tonya agreed to hang out, too. Just before the awards, I looked at our results for splits and realized that I’d been bumped to third. I was a little bummed because I’ve been working for North Carolina Tri Series points this season and wanted to hold on to a podium spot. The higher you place, the more points you get. But, I was still on the podium and did my signature skip and curtsy as I accepted my medal and hopped up on the third step. [More on how I actually ended up in second place later.]

Tonya, Neal and I headed to the beach house on our bikes and spent the rest of the morning celebrating with mimosas and snacks. I was excited about my medal and about the fact that I beat Neal by six minutes. Neal was stoked that he almost beat my swim time and that I only beat him by six minutes. Tonya was excited that even though she hasn’t been triathloning this year, she was able to get out there and make it all happen!

By the way, you’re invited to this race in 2026! I’ve decided that this race is going to be my 100th race! I am hoping that in 2026, I’ll be able to make this race number 100 - and I want 100 people to play along! I want you to come do this race, too! More info on this to come.

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