Overview
Race IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina with a swim in the Cape Fear River, a scenic bike through rolling countryside, and a run along the Wilmington waterfront and trails.
Beach to Battleship The scenic, iconic course at IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina starts beachside at Wrightsville Beach and ends across from the city's most attention-grabbing attraction - the immense Battleship North Carolina. Bring on the views, the PR's, the first-time finishers, and unforgettable memories here in Carolina. Nothing could be finer than a PR in Carolina.
Race categories
113K
IRONMAN 70.3
- Schedule
Thursday, October 15, 2026
2 PM - 7 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Atlantic Room (Indoor) 2 PM - 7 PM · IRONMAN Village Inside Out Sports Bike Store & Tech Service Center Information Tent VIP Spectator Credential Pick-Up · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center 2 PM - 7 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Indoor 3 PM · Athlete Briefing · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 4 PM · Q&A with the Race Director · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 4:45 PM · Bike Tire Changing Contest by the NC Bike Team * Instructions on how to change a bike tire immediately following. · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 5 PM · Athlete Briefing · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 6 PM · Yoga on the Battleship * Registration required · USS North CarolinaFriday, October 16, 2026
8 AM · Shake Out Run · IRONMAN Village Entrance 9 AM - 3:30 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up ( AWA Priority Check-In Ends at Noon) · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Atlantic Room (Indoor) 9 AM - 4 PM · IRONMAN Village Inside Out Sports Bike Store & Tech Service Center Information Tent VIP Spectator Credential Pick-Up · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center 9 AM - 4 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Indoor 9 AM - 5 PM · Mandatory Bike Check-In & Optional Bike Gear Bag Check-In by Appointment ** More information coming soon. · Transition 1 - Wrightsville Beach 10 AM - 4 PM · Mandatory Run Gear Bag Check-In Athletes will NOT have access to Transition 2 race morning. · Transition 2 - Cape Fear Community College Lot 10 AM - 5 PM · Information Tent · Transition 1 - Wrightsville Beach 10 AM · Athlete Briefing · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 11:30 AM · Athlete Briefing · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 11:30 AM · Nutrition Q&A hosted by Susan Kitchen, IMU Coach, USAT Level II and Registered Sports Dietitian · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area at the WFT Tent 1 PM · All Star Women’s Panel · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo Area 2:30 PM · Athlete Briefing · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Center - Outdoor Expo AreaSaturday, October 17, 2026 - Race Day!
3:45 AM - 5:15 AM · Athlete Only Shuttles from Downtown to T1 * No Spectators · N 3rd and Brunswick 4:30 AM - 6:25 AM · Transition Open · Transition 1 - Wrightsville Beach 5 AM - 6:30 AM · Athlete Only Shuttles leave T1 for Swim Start - No Spectators ALL ATHLETES MUST BE ON A SHUTTLE BEFORE 6:30 AM! · Transition 1 - Wrightsville Beach 5:30 AM - 9 AM · Information Tent · Transition 1 - Wrightsville Beach 7:10 AM · Age Group Athlete Rolling Swim Start · Wrightsville Beach - Hanover Seaside Club 9 AM - 4:30 PM · Official IRONMAN Store and Medal Engraving · Water Street Park 10:30 AM - 5 PM · Information Tent · Water Street Park 11 AM - 5 PM · Post-Race Athlete Food · Water Street Park 11:30 AM - 5 PM · Mandatory Morning Clothes Bag Check-Out · Water Street Park 1:45 PM - 5:30 PM · Mandatory Bike & Gear Bag Check-Out * 1:45 PM or 10 minutes after the final athlete leaves transition · Transition 2 - Cape Fear Community College Lot 4:30 PM · Awards Ceremony & 2027 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation/Rolldown Ceremony Automatic Qualifiers need to be present during the Awards Ceremony to claim their slot with their award. Slot Allocation/Rolldown for the remaining age group “Performance Pool Slots” will begin immediately following Awards. Be early! Must be present to claim a slot. · Aloft Wilmington Coastline Convention Center - Indoor Ballroom- Route
Swim
Ocean
Bike
Flat
Run
Rolling
Typical race-day conditions
Air 6–20 °C · Water 19 °CSwim course
The ROKA swim course is staged at Wrightsville Beach and will be a unique point-to-point layout with a rolling start. The swim takes place in a channel that is connected to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway—it's a saltwater swim, but not in the ocean. An incoming tide with athletes swimming with the current will provide fast splits for the 1.2-mile course. The water temperature will be in the upper 60's to low 70's Fahrenheit—perfect for wetsuit use.Bike course
Cruise from the beach to the countryside during this 56 mile ride. This flat and fast bike course will guide you on a picturesque ride along rural country roads before crossing the Cape Fear River on your return to town. A point to point bike course that finishes near the beautiful riverfront of historic downtown Wilmington.Run course
The 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina HOKA run course promises an incredible 13.1-mile journey, voted #1 by athletes over the years. This two-lap, “lollipop” course features a sweet route with road surfaces and a beautiful, nationally recognized boardwalk. Two loops around Greenfield Lake at the top of the route provide incredible shade to set your rhythm on the run. Feel the energy all along the way as spectators cheer you around the lake and through historic Wilmington. Carolina calls you home to one of the original finish lines of this race, where the heart of downtown Wilmington comes alive and an incredible view of the USS North Carolina welcomes you across the red-carpet finish. Home is not far away - It's Carolina! Bring it on everyone and get ready to race from beach to battleship! 2026 run map will be released soon.
Update history
3 Oct 2026
Venue changed: Wilmington, NC, United States → IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina, Wilmington
3 Oct 2026
Time changed: 17 October at 0:00 → 17 October at 4:00
IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina
Sat, 17 Oct 2026