WILMINGTON, N.C. — Invigorating, challenging, and iconic are the words that come to mind as I recall my experience at the Ironman North Carolina 70.3. I have done several triathlons at this half-ironman distance, but this one ranks at the top. The race consisted of a 1.2-mile swim at Wrightsville Beach, a 56-mile bike ride leading from the beach out to Burgaw and ending downtown Wilmington, and a 13.1-mile run down to Greenfield Lake with the finish line at Riverfront Park.

Being out there with over 2,300 athletes from all over the world reminded me of how blessed I am to call this beautiful town my home. I felt pure joy in seeing others experience all the best our city of Wilmington has to offer, from the landscape to the hospitality of the event staff and hundreds of local volunteers that made this event possible.

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