IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina returns to Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon returns to Wilmington and the surrounding beaches on Saturday, October 25, marking the event’s 16th year.

The sold-out 2025 race will bring an estimated 3,000 athletes and more than 7,000 visitors, including families, fans, and event staff, to the area.

The event includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run. The swim begins in the Intracoastal Waterway from Hanover Seaside Club to Seapath Yacht Club, with a transition area at Wrightsville Beach Park.

The 56-mile bike course takes athletes from Wrightsville Beach through rural areas in two counties, crosses the Cape Fear River, and finishes in downtown Wilmington. The 13.1-mile run passes through Greenfield Lake before finishing at Water Street Park, across from the Battleship North Carolina.

Race organizers say about 1,200 volunteers will help support the event.

Last year, IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina was ranked #3 for Best Swim Course and #3 for Best Run Course in North America, and #5 globally for its run course, according to the Athletes’ Choice Awards.

For more information on road closures and how the race will impact traffic on October 25, click here.