Pinehurst Triathlon Festival

Come enjoy a spring weekend in the North Carolina sandhills. Spend an extra day on one of the many 5-star golf courses that define Pinehurst as one of the golf meccas on the east coast. Visit the beautiful and quaint "downtown" area of the Village of Pinehurst with its numerous shops and restaurants. Finally, come participate in one of the best international distance triathlons in the region, plus a sprint distance option.  

Pinehurst offers up a gorgeous lake, challenging bike course with good roads and little traffic, and a memorable run around Lake Pinehurst.   

A staple of the North Carolina Triathlon Series since the race started in 1997.

As our way of saying thank you for your service to our country, we would like to offer you a 25% discount on your race registration.  
At check out please enter coupon code USA2026
*Please present your military ID at packet pick up to validate your discount.
*Please note the military discount is not applicable with bundle pricing. 

Claiming Awards: 

Participants who win an award must be present at the awards ceremony in order to claim an award. If an award winner can't stay for the awards ceremony, they need to make arrangements with another participant to claim their award.

Physical awards will not be mailed out nor will participants wanting to take advantage of the 25% future discount (as their award choice) be able to claim that discount after the fact.

25% Award Discount:

The 25% award discount is limited to the following races only:

Azalea
Pinehurst International
Pinehurst Sprint
White Lake Spring International
White Lake Spring Sprint
Lake Norman
White Lake Fall International
White Lake Double Sprint
Sandling Beach International
Sandling Beach Sprint
White Lake Fall Swim Challenge
All Viking Dash Races
Pinehurst Turkey Trot

Same award categories for both Sprint & International

Top 3 in each of the following categories

Advanced (M & F)
Age Groups (M & F):15 & Under,16-19,20-24,25-29,30-34,35-39,40-44,45-49,
                                 50-54,55-59,60-64,65-69,70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over
Clydesdales (Males - 220 Lbs +)
Athenas (Females - 165 Lbs +)
Aquabike (M & F)
Novice (M & F)
Relay Teams (1 category only)

NCTS rules state that once you compete in a particular race category in an NCTS race - you must remain in that same category for all future NCTS races in that calendar year. The exceptions to this rule are the Aquabike, Novice and Weight categories. You may begin the year as a Novice and then switch into another qualifying category (ie: Age Group, Clydesdale). For Weight categories (Clydesdale 220+ and Athena 165+) it allows for you to drop to Age Group if you go below the weight limit for the category - however you won't transfer any race results and awards to your new category.  If you switch to Aquabike you can switch back to your previous category at any time without penalty.

Below is a brief description of each race category:

Advanced - Category for Elite participants. These are typically the fastest people in the race and they compete on an Elite/Professional level.

Age Group - Participants competing in their age group.

Clydesdale - Category for men who are over 220 lbs.

Athena - Category for women over 165 lbs.

Aquabike - Category for participants doing the Swim and the Bike only. Your race ends when you cross the Bike Finish mat.

Novice - Category for beginner participants. Participants competing as a Novice have usually done less than 3 events. No age restrictions.

NOTE: You may fit into one or more of the above categories, so whichever category you choose to compete in is completely your choice. Choose the category that you feel you would have the most fun competing in.

There are no deferrals or transfers allowed after 3/30/2024.

Registered participants are allowed to defer or transfer their race registration to another Set Up Events owned race at any time UP TO two weeks before race day.
Deferral & Transfer fee is $20.
There are no deferrals or transfers allowed the final two weeks before the event.

USAT Sanctioned: This event is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Cut-Off Times:

All participants must complete the International distance race in under 4 hours - 15 minutes from the start of their swim.
All participants must complete the Sprint distance race in under 2 hours - 30 minutes from the start of their swim.
Event officials reserve the right to pull a participant off the course if it appears as though that participant will not be able to complete the race by the designated cut-off times.

Minimum Age: 

The minimum age allowed for participating in the International distance race is 13 years old.
The minimum age allowed for participating in the Sprint distance race is 10 years old.

Timing System:

This event will be timed using the MyLaps Bib Tag Timing System. All run turn locations will have timing mats to verify completion of the course.

In the event of inclement weather the following procedures will be followed:

The event will be postponed in hopes the inclement weather will pass. If the inclement weather does not pass in time to complete the event safely in the original or modified format, the event will be canceled. If the weather passes and the event cannot be held within the permitted time limits, the event will be changed to a duathlon format and possibly modified in length to meet these restrictions.

Every effort will be made to hold this event on time on this date. Should this event be canceled due to an Act of God or other circumstance beyond the race directors control there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy.

By registering for this event you agree to this weather policy.

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The bike course at Pinehurst is a challenging test - rewarding stronger cyclists. 

•   The course is a one loop design.
•   There are no big climbs on the course - but a few hills to take note of. Consult the Bike Cue Sheet for details on the more prominent hills.
*  The road surfaces are for the most part very smooth.
*  There will be a water bottle hand-off at the 16.7 mile mark of the ride.
    NOTE:  When you ride past the field of solar panels on your left - the water bottle handoff is coming up.
*  The water bottles given out at this location will be the Deer Park sport cap bottles.

The International run course is tough - rewarding stronger runners

•   There are lots of small rolling type hills, but there are also plenty of flat sections.
•   It's a picturesque course - as the one-loop 6.2 mile course circles Lake Pinehurst on quiet residential streets.
•   There's lots of shade, as you run past beautiful homes, the lake, and parts of the Pinehurst golf courses.

•   The race begins with a beach start at the Pinehurst Marina.
•   The course is a triangular shaped course in beautiful Lake Pinehurst .
•   Wetsuits are expected to be legal for this race - however, a water temperature will be posted by 9:00PM Thursday (4/9).

NOTE:  A lifeguard will be on duty on Friday (4/10) from 5pm to 7pm for practice swims. This will be the only period where we will have a lifeguard on duty.

The PDF cue sheet below is designed to help you navigate your way through the course.

Pinehurst is truly one of the great bike courses on the North Carolina Triathlon Series circuit. The course features roads that many Pinehurst area cyclists are very familiar with.

There are certainly no big climbs on this course, but a few hills that will separate really strong bikers from the pack. Participants will ride through some of the gorgeous countryside that defines the "Sandhills" region. 

HOST HOTEL

Springhill Suites
10024 U.S. Hwy. 15-501 - Pinehurst, NC 28374
910-695-0234

Queen:  $149
King:  $159

Reservations must be made by 3/13/26 in order to be guaranteed that rate
Reservation identifier:  "Pinehurst Triathlon"

All participants, volunteers, and spectators must park in a big grass parking lot on Linden Rd. - approx. 1/2 mile from the Pinehurst Marina.
We ask that everyone cross over Linden Rd. to the north side of the road, so that everyone is walking against traffic on their way up to the Marina.

We have been asked by the Village of Pinehurst to follow this procedure based on complaints that they received from area residents. Continued complaints from Pinehurst area residents could jeopardize the future of the Pinehurst Triathlon. This parking process has now been in place since 2006.

A tow truck on will be on duty that morning and will tow ANY vehicles that are not parked in the grass parking lot on Linden Rd.

We ask your cooperation on this matter.

"No Shirt/No Swag" Registration Option:

Participants racing as individuals have the option of registering for a race at a discounted price and NOT receiving the race shirt and any “swag” given away at the race. If you opt to do this, select the registration category that fits you (Age Group, Clydesdale, Athena, etc.), and when you get to the stage during this registration process where you pick your race shirt size – you’ll see a “No Shirt/No Swag” option – and the discounted amount.

Relay team members do not have this option. They will automatically receive race shirts.

Race Shirt Deadline: 

In order to receive a Race Shirt - participants must register no later than March 28, 2026.

Race Shirt Purchasing:

If you registered after the Race Shirt deadline - check at the finish line at the conclusion of the race. If any inventory remains, Race Shirts will be sold for $10.

Relays can comprise of a 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event).
Teams can consist of any mix of genders.
EACH Relay member MUST pick up his/her own packet.
EACH Member MUST have their photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) to pick up their packet.
If a member is a minor (17 or under), then a parent/guardian must show an ID to get their packet.
If a member turns 18 by the end of 2026 they are considered an Adult per USAT, thus they must pick up their own packet.
If you need to replace a relay member you can e-mail us using the Contact Us button at the top of the page with the changes.
If it is the week of the event and you need to make a change to a relay member then you can make this change at packet pick up.
At packet pick up you will be given a sheet of paper that explains how the relays will work (chip handoff, tagging spot, etc.).
If you are an individual that wishes to switch to a relay team, log into your profile and click on change category next to the event you wish to convert to a relay. It will walk you through the steps to change from an individual to a relay.

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The bike course at Pinehurst is a challenging test - rewarding stronger cyclists. 

•   The course is a pure one loop design.
•   There are no large hills on the course - but a constant series of moderate hills and rollers.
*  The road surfaces are for the most part very smooth.

The Sprint run course is much easier than the International course, as it eliminates many of the bigger hills.

•  The 5K course is an "Out & Back" design - with participants starting and finishing across the dam.
*   It's a picturesque course on quiet residential streets.

The race begins with a beach start at the Pinehurst Marina.

•   The course is a triangular shaped course in beautiful Lake Pinehurst .
•   Wetsuits are expected to be legal for this race - however, a water temperature will be posted by 9:00PM Thursday (4/9).

NOTE:  A lifeguard will be on duty on Friday (4/10) from 5pm to 7pm for practice swims. This will be the only period where we will have a lifeguard on duty.

Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules:

Most Common

Blocking

Drafting

Position

USAT INFORMATION:

ALL USAT members must show proof of a current membership at packet pickup. If you have recently renewed a membership, then you MUST print out a temporary card or receipt of payment (that shows the length of the membership period) to show at packet pick up. We will not take your word for it that your membership is current; you must SHOW us. Failure to do so will result in having to pay the one-day fee of $15.

CLICK HERE to be taken to the USAT website where you can renew your membership or print out a temporary card. You can also renew your membership at packet pick up if that's easier for you.

If I entered my USAT information when I registered, then why do I need to show my card at packet pick up? USAT rules state that all USAT members must show a valid membership card at packet pick up and failure to do so will result in having to pay the 1-day fee. Our events are sanction by USAT, therefore, we must follow these rules. Our website is not connected to USAT's website, so the information that you enter when you register could be incorrect. We must physically document the current expiration date of your membership when you pick up your packet as this is the only way we can confirm 100% that your membership is in fact current.

USAT's "Age Up" Policy:

An athlete's age for any USAT sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31, 2026. The age he/she is on 12/31 will determine his/her racing age group. If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the athlete's birthday. This action aligns regular U.S. age group racing with the method used by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings Program.

Examples:

John Smith is 39 and will turn 40 on November 20, 2026. John will be considered 40 for all 2026 races - and will race in the 40-44 age group at all 2026 races.
Sally Jones is 29 and will turn 30 on July 3, 2026. Sally will be considered 30 for all 2026 races - and will race in the 30-34 age group at all 2026 races.

USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower.
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards or USAT ranking points.
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is 84 degrees or higher, wetsuits may not be worn.

Sprint:  8:15 am

International:  8:45 am

Sprint:

Swim:  750 meters
Bike:  18 miles
Run:  5K

International:

Swim:  1500 meters
Bike:  26.3 miles
Run:  10K

Packet Pick-Up and late registration will be held at the race site (Pinehurst Marina) - covered pavilion

Friday (4/10):  4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday (4/11):  

Sprint:  6:30am - 7:45am
International:  7:00am - 8:00am

Important things to remember :

•   A photo ID is required for packet pick-up.
•   Cash, Check or Credit Card are accepted.
•   All participants must pick up their own race packet. (Including all relay team members)

PARTICIPANT MEETING:

We will no longer be holding in person participant meetings the night before races.
We will now be posting a participant video on the website a few days before the race that will take the place of the in person meetings.

We post race information & content leading up to each race. Follow and tag @nctriseries with your training and race content.