One thing that makes this course unique is its bike course, taking athletes through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge—a critical waterfowl sanctuary for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway and containing nearly one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands. The refuge consists of over 27,000 acres of freshwater impoundments, tidal wetlands, open fields, and mixed forests. The refuge is also home to over 250 bird species, 35 species of reptiles and amphibians, 165 species of threatened and endangered plants, and numerous mammals that can be spotted throughout the year in the region's marshes, forests, meadows, and fields.
A precursor to the IRONMAN Maryland, and partaking of much of the same course, this race has been popular among triathletes based in the area for years. Athletes will begin with a 1.2-mile, one-loop swim in the Choptank River on the Delmarva Peninsula. The course is rectangular, and features an in-water start, exiting at the Great Marsh Park. Water temperatures can vary between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The 56-mile, one-loop bike travels through Dorchester County, and into the aforementioned wildlife refuge. The course is flat, fast and scenic. The 13.1-mile, one-loop run is on calm country roads offering numerous straightaways—opportunities for athletes to size up their competition.
MALE PRO:
1 Beals Cody CAN (Canada)
2 Otstot Adam USA (United States of America)
3 Hoffman Ben USA (United States of America)
4 Jolicoeur Desroches Antoine CAN (Canada)
5 Gambles Joe AUS (Australia)
6 Yoder Andrew USA (United States of America)
7 Vondracek Jesse USA (United States of America)
8 Sosinski Jimmy USA (United States of America)
9 Russell Tim USA (United States of America)
10 Park Justin USA (United States of America)
11 Lussi Hunter USA (United States of America)
12 Lopes Andre BRA (Brazil)
13 LeJeune Johnathan USA (United States of America)
14 Kidwell Derek USA (United States of America)
15 Hoffman Michael USA (United States of America)
16 Hall Benson USA (United States of America)
17 Gillespie Dylan USA (United States of America)
18 Gerlach Thomas USA (United States of America)
19 Francoeur Antoine CAN (Canada)
20 Flynn Ricky USA (United States of America)
21 Feltner Curtis USA (United States of America)
22 Feigh Adam USA (United States of America)
23 Fecik Jonathan USA (United States of America)
24 Dempsey Alan CAN (Canada)
25 Deal Benjamin USA (United States of America)
26 Culbert Evan USA (United States of America)
27 Burns Todd USA (United States of America)
28 Brady Patrick USA (United States of America)
29 Bradley Scott USA (United States of America)
30 Bernier Lalonde Simon CAN (Canada)
31 Bach Elliot USA (United States of America)
32 Alford Matt USA (United States of America)
33 Vanderlinden Alex CAN (Canada)
FEMALE PRO:
40 Roy Stephanie CAN (Canada)
41 Robertson Jodie USA (United States of America)
42 Benner Holly USA (United States of America)
43 Seymour Jeanni ZAF (South Africa)
44 Wendorff Amanda USA (United States of America)
45 Specker Sullivan Laura USA (United States of America)
46 Smith Jessica USA (United States of America)
47 Smith Kearci USA (United States of America)
48 Olson Rachel USA (United States of America)
49 Nyitray Elizabeth USA (United States of America)
50 Morales Katie USA (United States of America)
51 Luse Nickie USA (United States of America)
52 Lohry Molly USA (United States of America)
53 Kenney Jennifer USA (United States of America)
54 Karpinski Sarah USA (United States of America)
55 Hansen Jennie USA (United States of America)
56 Godesky Alyssa USA (United States of America)
57 Dingman Danielle USA (United States of America)
58 Clark Jennifer USA (United States of America)
59 Wassner Laurel USA (United States of America)