Triathlons in California
California has 38 upcoming triathlons scheduled for 2026. That is the 2nd-highest event count for triathlons of any state. Most of the calendar falls in the warmer months: 23 of 38 races (61%) take place between May and September, with August (11 events) the busiest month. No single city dominates the calendar. Santa Cruz leads with 3 races, followed by Hermosa Beach (2), San Diego (2), and Truckee (1). The remaining 79% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.
Triathlons by month in California
Aug (11) · Sep (8) · Oct (7) · Nov (3) · Mar (2) · Jun (2) · Dec (2) · Apr (1) · May (1) · Jul (1)
Notable California events
- IRONMAN California — Sacramento, October 18 — full Ironman triathlon
Showing 24 of 38
Triathlon
Donner Lake Olympic & Half Iron Triathlon - Sunday
Truckee, CA
Triathlon
Donner Lake Olympic & Half Iron Triathlon - Sunday
July 30, 2026
Truckee, CA
Triathlon
2026 CVC San Diego Triathlon and San Diego Tri Series 5K
August 16, 2026
Chula Vista, CA
Triathlon
Barbara Schmidt Millar Women's Triathlon & 5K: Celebrating Life, Empowering Women
August 30, 2026
Nevada City, CA
Triathlon
2026 XTERRA WETSUITS Mission Bay Triathlon & San Diego 5K
October 11, 2026
San Diego, CA
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard triathlon distances?▾
The main distances are Sprint (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run), Olympic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run), Half-Ironman/70.3 (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run), and full Ironman (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run). Browse all distances on RACE.
What do I need for my first triathlon?▾
At minimum you need a swimsuit, goggles, a road or tri bike, helmet, running shoes, and a race belt for your number. Many beginners start with a sprint triathlon, which can be completed in 1-2 hours.
What is the difference between sprint and Olympic triathlon?▾
A sprint triathlon is roughly half the distance of an Olympic triathlon. Sprints typically take 1-1.5 hours while Olympic distance races take 2-3.5 hours. Sprints are ideal for beginners.
How do I qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship?▾
Athletes qualify by earning a slot at an IRONMAN-branded qualifying race. Each full IRONMAN event allocates slots to age group winners. The World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
What are the biggest triathlons in the US?▾
The SuperTri Chicago Triathlon is the largest single triathlon event with 8,000+ athletes. IRONMAN events in Texas, Florida, Lake Placid, and Arizona draw thousands. Escape From Alcatraz is a bucket-list race. Find them all on RACE.