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.

2014 TRIATHLONS

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

Kendra Payne Memorial Triathlon
Saturday, April 19 * 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 2-4* 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. Wildflower is known for its festival like atmosphere and challenging courses. There is something for everyone.  You can do the Long Course Triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run) The Mountain Bike Triathlon (.25 mile swim, 9.7 mile mountain bike, and 2 mile run) or the Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run).  Or if you want you can do the Wildflower Squared (Long and Olympic) event.

Tri-the-Bull Triathlon

Saturday, June 28 * 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 22 * 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
Sunday, July 17* Oxnard Beach Park, Oxnard Shores * Website

Otherwise known as the Strawberry Fields Triathlon, it is one of the more popular triathlon events in the Los Angeles County area. Strawberry Fields Olympic Triathlon: Swim 1500 meters, Bike 24.9 miles, Run 6.2 miles. Strawberry Fields Sprint Triathlon: Swim 14 mile, Bike 11.5 miles, Run 3 miles. Strawberry Fields Duathlon: Run 2 miles, Bike 11.5 miles, Run 3 miles. 

San Luis Obispo Triathlon
Sunday, July 27 * Sinsheimer Park, San Luis Obispo * Website

35th annual SLO triathlon. This short course (or sprint) triathlon consists of a 0.5 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. Participants are sent on the course in waves throughout the day.

Goleta Beach Triathlon
Sunday, July 27 * Goleta Beach, Goleta * Website

A newcomer in 2011, the Goleta Beach Tri is back in 2014. Sprint Triathlon (1/4 mile swim, 11 mile bike, 2.5 mile run. Long Course Triathlon (1 mile swim, 22 mile bike, 5 mile run). Duathlon (2.5 mile run, 22 mile bike, 2.5 mile run). AquaBike (1 mile swim, 22 mile bike). 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 22-24 * 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. Stick around after the event for children’s beach activities, a fabulous sports expo and convenient on-site dining.

Nautica Malibu Triathlon
September 13-14 * Zuma Beach, Malibu * Website

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Equinox Classic Distance course on Sunday, September 14th, 2014 features a half-mile ocean swim, an 18 mile out-and-back bike course, and a 4-mile out-and-back run course. The course goes through some of the most beautiful roads in Malibu, with spectacular views of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Carpinteria Triathlon
Sunday, September 28 * 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, November 2 * Coleman Park, Morro Bay * Website

Morro Bay Triathlon is back. Swim the bay, ride historic highway 1, and run on the hard packed sand on the beach, board walk, dirt roads and paved roads. Come out and enjoy some of the finest multi-sport terrain on the west coast.