Whether you are thinking about doing a triathlon for the first time or you are already an experienced triathlete, California’s Central Coast is a stronghold of triathlon activity every year.

With Santa Barbara having numerous opportunities to compete within short driving distances, S.B. has become a haven for triathletes and endurance athletes.

Here’s a catalogue of triathlons in the area with basic information about each one.

2013 TRIATHLONS

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(Ordered by event date; all events within 200 miles of Santa Barbara)

Kendra Payne Memorial Triathlon
Saturday, March 30 * Campus Point, Goleta * Website

The Kendra Payne is a sprint course tri sponsored by the UCSB Triathlon Team as its main fundraiser for the year. It also benefits the Kendra Fund in honor of the late UCSB triathlete who was killed in 2006 while training. This year it will  also have USAT Southwest Regional Aquabike Championship-1/2 mile swim, 16 mile bike, and 3 mile run.

Wildflower Triathlon
May 3-5* Lake San Antonio, Southern Monterey County * Website

One of the longest running triathlons in the world, the Wildflower is one of the most prestigious events around during the year. This year they are doing a The Ultimate Wildflower Challenge which is 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (Saturday), and 1.5 k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run (Sunday). The events also include a Long Course Triathlon, Olympic Distance Triathlon, and Mountain Bike Triathlon.

Tri-the-Bull Triathlon
Saturday, June 29 * Pioneer Valley H.S., Santa Maria * Website

15 years and up distance: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10-Mile Bike Ride, 3-Mile Run Junior Triathlon Distance: 7-14yrs. 150 Meter Swim, 2-Mile Bike, 1-Mile Run Tri-the-Bull 5K Run: 7 years and up 3.1 Miles

Ventura Triathlon
Sunday, June 23 * Ventura Harbor, Ventura * Website

Long course is Olympic distance while short course features challenging distances: 750 yard swim, 12.7 mile bike ride, 3.1 mile run. Fast, flat and scenic course, timing chips for all racers, post race Barbecue for all athletes, and USAT sanctioned race.

Oxnard Triathlon
July, exact date TBA * Oxnard Beach Park, Oxnard Shores * Website

Otherwise known as the Strawberry Fields Triathlon.  Distance-S: 1.5km B: 40km R: 10km / S: 1/4mi B: 12mi R: 3mi

San Luis Obispo Triathlon
Sunday, July 28 * Sinsheimer Park, San Luis Obispo * Website

34th annual SLO triathlon. Sprint Course only. It is a 1/2 mile swim, 15.3 miles cycling, and 3.1-mile run. Swim portion is done at the SLO Swim Center in a pool.

Goleta Beach Triathlon
Sunday, July 21 * Goleta Beach, Goleta * Website

A newcomer in 2011, the Goleta Beach Tri is back in 2013. The event introduced an Olympic-distance race, a sprint course, and duathlon to the summer calendar. Medals will be issued to top finishers, and all participants will receive a commemorative Goleta Beach Triathlon T-shirt with their registration. Benefits the Santa Barbara County Park Foundation.

Santa Barbara Triathlon
August 23-25 * East Beach, Santa Barbara * Website

The Santa Barbara Triathlon’s reputation has been built around a challenging but scenic course and a long history dating back to 1981. A full weekend of activities surround the SB Tri, including a sports expo and a parent/kids race. This year we will support the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.

Nautica Malibu Triathlon
September 7-8 * Zuma Beach, Malibu * Website

This is an extremely popular triathlon.  Malibu features an International-distance race on Saturday followed by the “classic distance” race on Sunday.

Carpinteria Triathlon
Sunday, September 29 * Beach State Park, Carpinteria * Website

The Carpinteria Triathlon comes late in the season and is considered fairly challenging due to its difficult bike and run courses. Both the olympic and sprint courses offer the competitor a challenging ride, although the sprint course is also very well suited for the novice triathlete. Carpinteria is a beautiful beach town on the Central Coast located between Santa Barbara and Ventura.

Morro Bay Triathlon
Sunday, October 13 * Coleman Park, Morro Bay * Website

There is a short-course race in addition to an Olympic-Distance course. Competitors can opt to kayak swimming leg of Olympic Course. The date is October 13th to take advantage of the warmer water temps and the ECOSLO Fair. Come out and enjoy some of the finest multisport terrain on the west coast and be the RockStar you know you are.