Located on the beautiful coast of North Carolina, participants and spectators can enjoy all the Crystal Coast area has to offer! With average air temperatures in Beaufort between 60 and 75 degrees fahrenheit, May is the perfect time to visit!
The Crystal Coast community is excited and supportive about this event! The mayor of Beaufort, Rett Newton, encourages everyone to come experience this event and see all that Beaufort has to offer!
The Crystal Coast event offers the following options:
Full Booty Triathlon with Relay option (140.6) – NOT OFFERED IN 2023
– 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run
– Relay teams can include 1 or 2 runners.
Half Booty Triathlon with Relay option (70.3)
– 1.2 mile swim 56 mile bike 13.1 mile run
Full Booty Aquabike – NOT OFFERED IN 2023
– 2.4 mile swim 112 mile bike
Half Booty Aquabike: 1.2 mile swim
The Swim
The swim takes place in Gallants Channel off the western side of Beaufort. The protected area provides a salt water swim without the strong ocean current. The surface sea water temperature averages 72.1 degrees on event day with the average temperature range between 68.7 and 75.5.
Against a backdrop of the Town Creek Marina and docked ocean pleasure boats, swimmers will enjoy the calm open swim on the long rectangular course with nearly 1/2 mile northwest in the starting direction and 1/2 mile return. Full booty participants will complete the swim course twice for the 2.4 mile distance.
The early starters on the swim course will be swimming against a very slight current on the initial portion of the swim course as they move in a northwest direction up the channel but will have the advantage of swimming with the current once they make the turn and return towards the swim finish. Later starters will be aware of even less current since the current force will be waning to zero at 9:10 am.
Spectators are invited to line up along the new Gallants Channel Bridge to watch their triathlete from above.
Full Booty participants will complete the 1.2 mile course twice.
The Bike
The bike route allows cyclists to venture out of Beaufort and into the small towns that neighbor the Crystal Coast including Morehead City, Newport, and Havelock.
Cyclists are sure to achieve a PR on this fast, flat course! The only significant elevation changes are man-made as cyclists cross three bridges over channels and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Cyclists will encounter the first “hill” almost immediately after exiting the transition area to give them a chance for a quick warm-up as their swim legs transition to cycling. Spectators will line the Gallants Channel Bridge and offer encouragement and support as the cyclists climb out of Beaufort. The reward of the downhilll comes quickly as the cyclists leave the excitement of the start area behind them, exit Beaufort and look to the long, pleasant ride ahead.
The Run
Upon the return from the bike, runners will enjoy the opportunity to cross UNDER the Gallants Channel Bridge and approach the beautiful boat docks flanking Town Creek Marina. They will quickly be on their way into downtown Beaufort where they will enjoy the many historical homes on the first part of the run course. Spectators will line the streets and balconies along this cozy downtown area.
As runners approach the waterfront, they will be exhilarated by the pleasant water view that includes more watercrafts docked nearby. A quick jaunt back through the historical downtown will take the runners to the charming Beaufort waterfront where the impressive homes and views across the channel to Carrot Island will relax and uplift every athlete!
The run course continues through residential Beaufort allowing participants to get a sense of real small town life along the welcoming coast of NC! There will be plenty of room for spectators to gather and get multiple opportunities to cheer their loved ones.
The run brings participants back through the waterfront area for a finish at the NC Maritime Museum in downtown Beaufort.
Full distance participants will complete the run course twice.
The Transition Area
The transition area could not be more perfect for this spectacular event! The huge open space along Gallants Channel with large grass area is protected from the high traffic of the downtown Beaufort area but provides easy access to the cycling route and the run course.
The Crystal Coast
Make it a weekend or week-long vacation with family and friends and include time to experience all the Crystal Coast has to offer! In addition to being a dream location for history buffs (including those enthralled with pirate lore!), the Crystal Coast offers beaches, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, fishing, boating, shopping, breweries, restaurants, and a perfect chance to escape the hustle of life to the calm, charming Crystal Coast!
LESS
