PPD Beach2Battleship now PPD IRONMAN

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — IRONMAN has announced an acquisition of a popular triathlon and half triathlon event in Wilmington.

According to a release, IRONMAN will now operate the events formally known as the PPD Beach2Battleship full and half triathlon. The races have been in the Wilmington area since 2008 and has been recognized as one of the top long distance triathlons in 2010 by Triathlete Magazine. IRONMAN acquired the races from the Wilmington Family YMCA.

Wilmington YMCA President Dick Jones said the acquisition means positive things for the community and the race.

“As the IRONMAN comes into the community, they help other organizations, not just the Y,” said Jones. “I know that they have been very charitable in other communities with the volunteers they work with and other organizations.”

The annual race held in the fall starts in Wrightsville Beach, travels to area counties before coming to Downtown Wilmington, Greenfield Lake, USS North Carolina and finally ends back downtown.

The 2016 event will be on Saturday, October 22.