Film screening.
Sunday, March 16
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
UNCW King Hall Auditorium
Registration required.
Experience Wilmington history and the spirit of grassroots athletics with On Their First Tri —a captivating documentary that takes you back to 1979, when a group of daring women and men transformed a bold idea into the world's oldest public triathlon at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Inspired by a Sports Illustrated article on Hawaii’s inaugural triathlon, these trailblazers defied convention—with no guidance or equipment, no expert coaches, no regimented training or fancy plans—to create an event that has become nothing short of legendary. Featuring intimate stories from local athletes, entrepreneurs and (spoiler!) a UNCW psychology professor, this film is a joyous journey down memory lane, celebrating the raw, unfiltered passion of a bygone era. Whether you were there in 1979, simply love the sport, or are discovering the magic for the first time, On Their First Tri reminds us that the spirit of innovation and community can change the game.
Events
Individual
Youth Triathlon
39 spots left. Price increases after May 31, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Schedule
THURSDAY: PACKET PICKUP
3:00pm to 6:00pm - Two Wheeler Dealer Pre race Party with Beer
FRIDAY: PACKET PICKUP AND BIKE CHECK
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: RACE DAY
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)
6:45am: 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
About the Event
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.
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