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Novices, pros participate in 33rd annual YMCA Triathlon

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By Pam Creech,

Contributing Writer

Athletes will swim, bike and run their way through the Wilmington YMCA Triathlon Saturday, Sept. 27. The race will begin at 7 a.m. on Wrightsville Beach, across from the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

From first-time triathletes to veterans, the race attracts a diverse array of participants. More than 500 participants have already registered; they range in age from 11 to 73.

Among the registered is Ann Ukena, a University of North Carolina Wilmington marketing student from Leer, Germany, who started competing in triathlons shortly after moving to Wilmington.

“My first race was about a year ago,” Ukena said.

Ukena said she has been an endurance athlete since childhood, and decided to start training for triathlons after a friend encouraged her. She now is a member of the UNCW Triathlon Club.

“Here in Wilmington, there’s a great sport community,” Ukena said.

She enjoys having company during her early-morning training swims in the Intracoastal Waterway.

“You always meet someone,” she said.

Though Ukena heard about the race from many of her friends, this will be her first time participating in the YMCA Triathlon.

“It’s just about participating and cheering on your friends and having fun,” Ukena said. “I just love racing.”

Since last fall, Ukena has competed in seven triathlons, including the White Lake International Triathlon, where she finished second in her age group. She will compete in a half ironman in Miami, Fla., Oct. 26. However, Ukena’s main goal isn’t to earn medals.

“I just do my best and I have fun,” she said.

While many participants will complete the entire race, some have chosen to form relay teams. Relay teams can be composed of two or three people who each compete in different portions of the race. More than 25 participants will compete on relay teams during the 2014 race.

The race qualifies as a sprint-distance triathlon, and is one of the largest one-day triathlons on the southeast coast. The 1,500-meter swim will take place in Banks and Motts channels. Participants will exit the water at the Seapath Marina docks, followed by a quick barefoot sprint across the street to fetch their bikes from the gated transition area in Wrightsville Beach Park. Transition times will factor into each participant’s overall time.

The 12-mile bike course will lead athletes across the Heide Trask drawbridge and onto Airlie Road, Oleander Drive, Greenville Loop Road and Pine Grove Drive, where they will begin their return trip. To complete the loop, they will ride on Oleander Drive, Eastwood Road and Wrightsville Avenue.

The final portion of the race is a 5k run around the John Nesbitt Loop, and participants will cross the finish line at Wrightsville Beach Park.

Race proceeds will benefit the Wilmington YMCA. For more information, visit
www.setupevents.com

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