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 of this event! We encourage everyone to come experience this event and see all that Beaufort has to offer!
Event Options
The Crystal Coast event offers the following options:
- Half Booty Triathlon with Relay option (70.3)
- 1.2 mile swim
- 56 mile bike
- 13.1 mile run
- Half Booty Aquabike
- 1.2 mile swim
- 56 mile bike
- 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
- Full Booty Aquabike - NOT OFFERED IN 2023
- 2.4 mile swim
- 112 mile bike
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 the backdrop of Town Creek Marina and its docked 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 9:40 am.
Here are the tides forecast for the day of the event: PERFECT for an 8 am start!!
Tides for Gallant Channel starting with May 13, 2023:
Sat 13 High 3:09 AM 3.8
13 Low 9:40 AM 0.1
13 High 3:53 PM 2.8
Spectators are invited to line up along the 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 explore more of 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 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 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 downtown area for a finish on Middle Lane.
*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 a large grassy area is protected from the traffic of downtown Beaufort 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! Learn more about visiting the Crystal Coast here.
FS Series
FS Series is co-owned by Jason Biggs, Brent Dorenkamp, and Marc Primanti. They time and direct over 75 running, swimming, triathlon, & duathlon events throughout North Carolina. Since 2006 FS Series has been a key player in the growth and development of the triathlon market. In their 12+ years producing events they have been selected by USA Triathlon, the governing body of all triathlon and duathlon events, to host National Championship races at their races. FS Series provides a personal, yet professional, feel to their events. Their partnerships with city officials and law enforcement creates a safe environment for the runners and race crew.
Kazem Yahyapour
Founder, City of Oaks Marathon, Raleigh, NC
Co-Founder, Tobacco Road Marathon, Cary, NC
Kazem is Owner and President of Auto Dealers Investments Inc. Since 2001, Kazem has made a successful transition from the corporate high-tech world to running his own finance company.
He was president of Raleigh’s Wakefield High School Wolverine Athletic Booster Club and coach for the school’s cross country team. He founded the City of Oaks Marathon, the Tobacco Road Marathon, and the Wakefield High School Just Think First 5K supporting a program to educate students about the dangers of Drinking & Driving. Kazem has a true passion for running. Diagnosed with coronary artery disease in 2002, he started running to lose weight and improve his health. Within four months, he ran his first marathon at Myrtle Beach and, has run the Boston Marathon 11 times.
Cid L. Cardoso Jr.
Owner, Founder, & President of Inside Out Sports, Cary, NC
Co-Founder, Tobacco Road Marathon, Cary, NC
Cid has been a lifelong athlete starting with age group swimming and cycling through college. After college he found the world of triathlon and endurance cycling. He has completed 20+ Ironman races many of which have qualified him for a slot at Ironman Hawaii. Cid has multiple podium finishes at triathlons throughout the state. Through his store, Inside Out Sports, he has nurtured generations of runers and triathletes. They have been a sponsor of countless local races, race teams, as well as creating their own race series.
Together, with his long-time friend Kazem Yahyapour, the 100% not-for-profit Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary, NC was founded in 2010. In 2023, The Tobacco Road Marathon will have its 13th running and will surpass $1,300,000 in donations generated for their charitable partners.
Steve Tulevech
Steve has been an owner/operator of Town Creek Marina in Beaufort, North Carolina since 1996. In charge of overseeing the full-service, family-owned and operated marina as well as the service and repair of all boats, Steve’s hands-on approach and attention to detail guarantees a quality experience and customer satisfaction. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Union College and a Master of Science degree in Fisheries Science from the University of Rhode Island. A United States Coast Guard licensed captain since 1984, Steve is also an avid runner, skier, and fisherman. In 2022, Steve completed his first marathon and qualified for the 2023 Boston Marathon. He lives in Morehead City, North Carolina with his wife, Carol, and their two children, Steven Jr. and Grace.
David Motley
David was born in Winston Salem, NC and received his Masters in Engineering from NC State in 2002. He has been employed as an Aerospace Engineer in Eastern NC since 2002. David enjoys competing in triathlons as well as all distances of biking and running events. He completed the Raleigh 70.3 in 2016 and is currently training for the 200-mile Bourbon Chase relay. David is married with 2 children and enjoys playing and coaching his son and daughter in their various sports.
Art Parrish
Art is a NC native. He completed his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from NC State in 2004. In 2010, Art joined BSH (Bosch) Home Appliance in New Bern where he is currently a Project Manager leading new product development in the Dish Care Division. Art currently lives in Newport, NC with his wife and 3 boys. In his spare time, he enjoys all the Crystal Coast has to offer including boating, fishing, and spending time with family and friends at the beach. Art enjoys staying active and motivated by participating in mud runs and cycling events with friends and coworkers.
Joshua Stoufflet
Joshua is an avid multi-sport athlete, participating in a variety of fitness events including a relay across the English Channel with his alumni from Physical Therapy school, multiple full and half distance triathlons and marathons. He is active in the Crystal Coast community, serving as the Director of Tri for Fun triathlon and President of Iron Coast Racing triathlon team. Joshua also enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking with his wife and children during his leisure time.
Carol Tulevech
Carol manages the Ship’s Store, marketing, and human resources at Town Creek Marina, a family-owned and operated business in Beaufort, NC, as well as supporting all areas of the business. A former volleyball player, Carol has helped coach various club volleyball teams and run numerous 5K and 10K road races, as well as a few half marathons. In addition to running, Carol also enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing, and the Crystal Coast beaches. She and her husband, Steve, have two children and live in Morehead City, NC.
Lise Fondren
Lise has lived in North Carolina most of her life and is an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying road and mountain biking, hiking, camping, scuba diving, all watersports and snow skiing. She has a bachelors from UNC-CH, a master’s degree from ECU and has been the account manager at Carteret Children’s Clinic since moving to the area in 1995. She raised her two children in Beaufort, NC and now lives in Pine Knoll Shores where she is a volunteer with the NC Sea Turtle Program. Her participation in triathlons began just 12 years ago, but she’s been bitten by the bug! She is thrilled to be a grandmother with her granddaughter born in Italy this summer. Needless to say, travel is a passion as well.