The Swim Course

The swim occurs just off the Albemarle Sound in the protected mouth of Salmon Creek. This creek mouth is generally calm and without white caps on those occasional days when the sound is white capping just around the point. Racers will stage on a grassy slope and then enter the water and swim 750 meters around two buoys that form a triangle. There are usually no strong currents in the swim area but most of it will be deeper than the racers heads.  The transition area is right beside the swim entry area entry and exit. See the course map at poundthesound.com under race info and maps and directions.

The bike course

The bike course starts near the transition area and transitions out of Scotch Hall via Rieder, Clubhouse, Scotch Hall Blvd, Sutton Road, to Highway 45 and back.  The bike course is one 13.9 mile loop. The course is flat and takes place on county rounds that surround Scotch Hall. The roads are open to traffic - but traffic is usually fairly light. Notifications will be at each highway entry to the bike route making car traffic aware of the course. Portions of the road are shaded. Volunteers will be at each turn on the course. See the course map at poundthesound.com under race info and maps and directions.

The run course

The run course is entirely within Scotch Hall and very scenic. It starts near the transition area moves to Reider, Clubhouse, Scotch Hall Blvd., Majestic Circle (and it is) and returns to Reider  and ends at the pool in front of panoramic sound views. This is the award party site for the event.  See the course map at poundthesound.com under race info and maps and directions.

GPS Tip

Set destination address to 1041 Sutton Rd. Merry Hill, NC 27957, this address takes you to the entrance to the gated community.

Traveling from the East (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC)

Take I-440 or I-540 East to Hwy 64 East towards Rocky Mount, NC. Hwy 64 meets Hwy 17 in Williamston, NC. Take Hwy 17 North towards Windsor, NC. Approximately 4 miles east of Windsor, Hwy 17 intersects with Hwy 45. Turn right on Hwy 45 and proceed 1/2 mile to Old Merry Hill Road, turn left. Proceed 1 mile to Avoca Farm Road, turn left and follow for 3 miles to Scotch Hall Preserve main gate.

Traveling from the North (Washington D.C., Richmond VA, Norfolk VA, Virginia Beach VA)

Take I-64 east to I-664 crossing over Hampton Roads and continuing towards Chesapeake, VA and Hwy 17. Take Hwy 17 South towards Elizabeth City, NC then on towards Edenton, NC. Stay on Hwy 17 South crossing over the Albemarle Sound/Chowan River. Continue for 4 miles to Hwy 45 then turn left. Proceed 1/2 mile to Old Merry Hill Road, turn left. Proceed 1 mile to Avoca Farm Road, turn left and follow for 3 miles to Scotch Hall Preserve main gate.

Traveling from North Carolina section of I-95 Interstate

If you are coming north or south on I-95 at the Rocky Mount, NC exit go east on highway 64 to Williamston. 64 will intersect Highway 13/17 at Williamston. Take 13/17 to Windsor and continue on to Edenton. Turn right on Hwy 45 and proceed 1/2 mile to Old Merry Hill Road, turn left. Proceed 1 mile to Avoca Farm Road, turn left and follow for 3 miles to Scotch Hall Preserve main gate.