Orange County, California, is an excellent location for triathlons, with its beautiful weather and stunning scenery. Triathlon racing in Orange County occurs yearly, ranging from sprints to 70.3 Ironman races.
The triathlons in the OC are known for their challenging courses and beautiful scenery. Many races are held at the beautiful beaches and parks, making for a picturesque backdrop during the competition.
One of the most popular triathlons in Orange County is the Pacific Coast Triathlon. This event features a sprint triathlon, which includes a 0.5-mile swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride, and a 3.1-mile run. The race occurs at Crystal Cove State Park, known for its stunning coastline and beautiful ocean views. The course is challenging, with rolling hills on the bike and running courses, but the breathtaking scenery makes it all worth it.
Another popular triathlon in Orange County is the Cal Tri Newport Dunes which started in 1978 as the Human Race Triathlon and is the longest-running triathlon in the world, operating from the same location. This race offers a variety of distances, including a Sprint, Olympic, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, and relay options.
For those looking for a longer race, the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside is held in Oceanside, just north of Orange County. This race is a half Ironman, which includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. The race takes place in April, and the course takes competitors through scenic Oceanside and along the Pacific Coast Highway. The bike course is hilly and challenging, but the stunning views of the ocean make it all worth it.
Overall, triathlon racing in Orange County is a challenging and rewarding experience. The courses are known for their scenic beauty but also for their toughness. Below is a list of incredible triathlons that take place in or near Orange County, CA.
Orange County Triathlon
When: April
Location: Lake Mission Viejo, CA
Distance: Sprint, Olympic, Duathlon, Aquabike, Splash & Dash, 5K
Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
When: April
Location: Lake Mission Viejo, CA
Distance: Sprint, Olympic, Duathlon, Aquabike, Splash & Dash, 5K
XTERRA Laguna Beach
When: August
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Distance: Sprint, Olympic, Aquathlon, 13K and 6K trail run
Pacific Coast Triathlon & Duathlon
When: September
Location: Crystal Cove, CA
Distance: Sprint
Coveathlon Series
When: August
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Distance: 1K Swim + 5K Run, 1K Swim only, 5K Run only, or Relay
Cal Tri Newport Dunes
When: October
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Distance: Sprint, Olympic, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, or Relay
LA Tri Series
When: April, May, October
Location: San Dimas, CA
Distance: Super Sprint Triathlon, Super Sprint AquaBike, Olympic, AquaBike, Duathlon, 5K Run