I've done the 70.3 three times, but missed last years. I love it. The swim is open water, but you're in a bay/sound, so it's not as bad as the ocean. Once you get out of town on the bike, it's open roads. One year, there was actually a traffic jamb at the half way turn-around. They stopped cars to allow the bikes to do the turn around in the school parking lot, but blocked cars on the main road and thus blocked bikes too. The ride over the bridge (4 times) can be very windy. One year I did about 12 MPH into the wind and it seamed like 40 going the other way. I really enjoyed the run. There's a bit of shade on about 1/2 the course, but can be warm. We go a day early and sight see. Went down to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, toured the Lost Colony, Jockey Ridge and Kitty Hawk. The wife really enjoys the trip.

Really weird thing, is apparently I'm allergic to something on the Island that time of year because I've suffered from exercise induced asthma each and every time on the run. Forces me to slow down a bit.

They should have all the course maps on their website.