photography by Josh McClure
Southeast Campaign. Wrightsville Beach Biathlon combines SUP and sprint for 2nd annual event. The endurance of athletes of all ages will be tested over water and across the sand as racers SUP then sprint to the finish line on Saturday, March 26.
Wrightsville Beach Biathlon combines SUP and sprint for 2nd annual event
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. – The endurance of athletes of all ages will be tested over water and across the sand as racers SUP then sprint to the finish line in the 2nd annual Wrightsville Beach Biathlon on Saturday, March 26.
SUP or stand-up paddle boarding is the fastest growing outdoor water sport in America and the Wrightsville Beach Biathlon will attract clean water sportsmen and women from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. With its protected inland waterway enhanced by challenging ocean conditions, Wrightsville Beach is recognized as one of the prime destinations for SUP athletes in the East Coast’s southeast region.
The whistle start begins in Banks Channel opposite the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, event co-sponsor.
Stand up paddleboarders will stroke the open channel’s strong current, battling tides, wind and chop, before turning west into Motts Channel. North along the Intracoastal Waterway, the gondoliers will pass beneath the Heide Trask Drawbridge bearing east through Lees Cut circling back to the starting point, an approximately 4-mile course.
From there, athletes will sprint to the ocean front along Public Beach Access No. 33 and complete a second 4-mile pier-to-pier course along the beach strand between Johnnie Mercer’s Pier to the Crystal Pier and back to the Blockade Runner.
Last year’s champion, Chris Curry, completed the course in 1 hour and 24 minutes. Coastal Urge, a local outfitter store, and co-sponsor will assist with logistics.
The Wrightsville Beach Biathlon offers many great viewing locations for spectators along around the islands’ shorelines and on the beach strand.
A pre-race meeting begins at 9 a.m. and the race at 10 a.m. with an awards ceremony immediately following the race with fruit, finger sandwiches, and drinks for athletes, friends, and family at 2 p.m. Winners will receive complimentary weekends at the Blockade Runner along with more than $1,000 in prizes donated by Coastal Urge.
The Blockade Runner will also offer a special race rate, which includes paddleboard rental. All proceeds benefit the SUP Clean-Up. The $35 entry fee includes a race T-shirt. To register contactjason@blockade-runner.com or call (910) 256-2251.
Contacts:
Jason St. Clair
Blockade Runner Beach Resort
(800)541-1161 or (910)256-2251
jason@blockade-runner.com
Jeoffrey Nathan
Coastal Urge
(800) 383-4443 ext 10
jason@blockade-runner.com
