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This page, clockwise from top left: Competitors start their heat in Banks Channel,
2010. Andrea Rose, front, and Katy Brown cycle on Causeway Drive back to
Wrightsville Beach Park to transition to the 5k run portion, 2010. Spectators fill
Wrightsville Beach Park to cheer on friends and family at the finish line, 2007.
ach summer as the mid-September date
draws near, triathletes arrive in droves
to condition and train in Wrightsville
Beach. At daybreak any given morning,
all sorts of friend and family groups
hit the waters and pavements in and
around town to ready themselves — many for the pure joy of
competing. For some this race has become an annual family
tradition, while others dabble in the swim, bike and running
events to achieve a personal goal; the reasons for participation
vary widely, but all triathlons draw serious athletes, too.
The Wilmington Family YMCA Wrightsville Beach triathlon
first held in 1979 was the brainchild of Karl Sutter, then a resident
of Wrightsville Beach.
Karl was competitive by nature and had been a college swimmer.
A few years after college, he took up running to get back
into shape. While running one day, he sprained his ankle and
then turned to cycling as an outlet for fitness while his injury
healed. Already, he was a triathlete in the making.
While reading Sports Illustrated in the spring of 1979, Karl
noticed a small article about the first Ironman triathlon held in
Hawaii in fall of 1978. It had only 12 participants. Karl looked
Opposite page photos from the first triathlon held in 1979. Clockwise from top: A group cycling on River Road lead by Henry
Forest who also participated in the first Ironman in Hawaii. Jim Mincher nearing the finish line at Wrightsville Beach Park. Founder
Karl Sutter was first out of the water.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
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