WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH – Registration is open for the 12th annual Pier-2-Pier Race hosted by the Wilmington Family YMCA and the Cape Fear Aquatic Club.
The open-water ocean swim will take place at Wrightsville Beach on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m., according to a news release from the Wilmington Family YMCA. The full race course is 2 miles (1.71 miles between Johnny Mercer’s Pier and Crystal Pier along the beach, plus the swim to and from the “dry” finish and start lines).
All proceeds from the race will support the YMCA’s swim team, the Cape Fear Aquatic Club.
The Pier-2-Pier race is held each year in memory of Ryan Alea Young, a former UNC-Wilmington swimmer who passed away in a February 2009 accident. Young was due to graduate a few weeks after her death as a communications and creative writing major and she coached for a Wilmington Swim League. Prior to attending the university, Young swam for the Hickory North Carolina YMCA and represented the Y at the national competition.
The race is open to all swimmers ages 11 and up. The cost of the event for swimmers who register on or before Wednesday, Aug. 31, is $40. Tickets sold online between Sept. 1 and the deadline on Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. will cost $55. On-site registration is $60. Participants can register in person after Sept. 7 at packet pick up locations.
Packet pick-up for participants will be at The Pub, 2012 Eastwood Road, from 2 to 7 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 9. On the day of the race, swimmers can pick up their packet and race chip between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. on the beach. Registration will officially close at 8:45 a.m.
Parking for athletes will be provided at Wrightsville Beach Park on Bob Sawyer Drive. The YMCA will shuttle people to the starting location beginning at 6:15 a.m. Shuttles will also be provided at the finish line to bring people back after the race.
For information about the Pier-2-Pier swim, including divisions and rules visit the race website. To learn about the Wilmington Family YMCA programs and activities, click here.
