“Wildflower represents the soul of triathlon, the feeling, environment, and community that best represents the sport. I’m so excited to come back to this race and reconnect with the people involved, and the course itself,” said Jesse Thomas, professional triathlete and six-time defending Wildflower Long Course Champion. “It’s hard for me to understate the importance of Wildflower in the launch and development of my career. I literally wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today as a professional without this race.” Come join Jesse at this years start line of the Wildflower Triathlons.  Here are your options triathlon to race this year:

1.2 MILE SWIM, 56 MI BIKE, 13.1 MI RUN

The Wildflower Long Course Triathlon is an iconic event in the sport.  Many triathletes proclaim it to be the best triathlon in the United States.  Since 1983 the event has hosted most of the biggest names in the sport.  It starts with a 1.2 mile swim in the lake at 65-68 F.  The bike course is a 56 mile ride through the hills, valleys, and fields of wildflowers.  The rolling hills are hard on your legs and when you get to “Nasty Grade” (mile 40) makes them burn even more.  The downhills will give you white knuckles until you get back to the park and the transition area.  The run is 13.1 miles along the lake, creek and through the backcountry of Long Valley.  It returns through the Redonda Vista and Lupine Meadows campgrounds.  On San Antonio Dr. runners proceed down to the “Pit” (mile 10) then turn-around and head back to Lynch Road for the last leg wobbling downhill to the finish line.  The weather plays a big part of the strategy as it is unpredictable from year to year.

1.5K SWIM, 40K BIKE, 10K RUN

In the tradition of Wildflower being one of the most challenging events in the world, the Olympic Distance Triathlon lives up to the reputation. Collegiate, age group, relay teams and triathlon clubs love the challenge. The 1.5 km swim is a counter clockwise swim around buoys in 65-68 F water. It can be smooth or choppy depending on the weather. The bike course a 40 km out and back course starting right out of the transition area up Lynch Hill before any flats. The rolling on San Antonio Drive and Interlake Road seem to have many more uphills than downhills to the turn-around at the 20 Km. When you turn around for the ride back you will be sure that they turned the hills around too and they are all uphill again. When you get back into the park you get to go down Lynch Hill and have to use your brakes. The run is along the shoreline to Harris Creek campgrounds and then on San Antonio Drive to run uphill yet again. You make your way to the finish on a steep downgrade on Lynch Hill that will cause your calves to rebel against you as the finish line starts to come into view. There is nothing better than completing the Wildflower Experience.

The Off-Road Sprint Distance Triathlon is for those who want to get on a bike and hit the trails in the backcountry. The bike portion of this event is more of a Gravel Course than a technical Mountain bike course, but you will probably see a mix of different wide tired bike types being utilized as it is a course designed to suit a range of riding styles. After completing a 1/4 mile (500 meters) swim, the 10 mile bike portion of this race kicks off on a mile-long stretch of paved road along the lake. It then quickly switches over to a mix of open gravel roads, dirt double-track, and singletrack trails linked together with smaller sections of paved roads through the hilly campgrounds looping back down Lynch Hill into transitions. The run is a 2 mile out and back paved course along Shoreline Drive. This event is perfect for the person who wants an Off-Road gravel-style sprint race but still wants to be part of the Wildflower Experience.

The On Road Sprint Triathlon is a challenging experience for the novice or short distance triathlete.  The swim is a 500 meter counter clockwise swim.  The bike course goes up Lynch Hill and out San Antonio Drive and Interlake Road to the turn-around at 10K.  The hills are rolling and county roads are scenic.  You then head back on the same course back down Lynch Hill and to the transition area.  The run is a 5K run along the lake and past “Beach City” where the Cal Poly volunteers stay at night.  Like all the Wildflower courses this one is tough, but satisfying when you finish.  Just being part of the Wildflower Experience is worth every extra heartbeat.

Do you love challenging trail runs, but swimming or biking are not in your training plans at this time?  Experience an extended version of the iconic Wildflower Long Course Triathlon trail run with more trails than roads.  You will run along the shore of Lake San Antonio, through Harris Creek to the backcountry, up and down the hills of Long Valley and through the campgrounds and within the park.  Along with a scenic run, you will be able to be part of the all-new Wildflower Experience complete with camping, expo booths, wine tasting, music, and entertainment.  This experience is not usually available at other trail running events.

5K run (3.1 Mile)

The Wildflower 5K will be a Saturday evening timed run through the Redonda Vista and Lupine Campgrounds.  Before your fireside dinner and s’mores, you now have the option of running an evening 5K with the other athletes in the campgrounds and enjoy a nice cold beer at the Finish Line*.  If you are racing on Sunday, make it a fun run to keep your anxiety down.  If you already raced on Saturday, it is the perfect way to loosen up your muscles from your race and join your friends and family that came with you. This event is perfect for everyone.

The start will be in the Redonda Vista Campgrounds next to the outdoor theater.  Runners will proceed up the hill counter-clockwise around Redonda Vista Drive.  Turn right on the trail to Lupine Meadows and through Lupine Meadows to San Antonio Drive at Beach Road.  Left turn on fire access trail along San Antonio Drive back to the Redonda Vista Intersection.  Turn left on Redonda Vista Drive to the finish line near the outdoor theater.

• * must be 21 and have a valid photo ID for the complementary beer

6.2 Mile

So, you want to be a part of the Wildflower Experience, but you’re not into swimming and cycling? The Wildflower 10K is perfect for you to experience the same run course that the Olympic Distance triathletes will race on.  You will run along the lake on Shoreline Drive and fire access trails to Harris Creek and then experience the long uphill trek on San Antonio Drive from Harris Creek to Beach Hill.  You will proceed back on the trails to Lynch Hill and then back on the road down the hill to the finish line.  You can enjoy the rest of the day with food, wine and music while the triathletes are finishing.

10 km Start on Shoreline Drive by the Festival Stage between Festival Area 1 and Festival Area 2.

Depart on Shoreline Drive and proceed through “Beach City” to Harris Creek.  Proceed on the fire access trail along the water, through the campgrounds past the parking lot onto San Antonio Drive.  Proceed on San Antonio Drive until the Beach Hill intersection.  Follow the fire access trail next to San Antonio Drive back to the Lynch Intersection.  Go back on the road and turn right down Lynch Hill to the finish chute.

We have even more ways to race and enjoy beautiful Lake Antonio! The Open Water 1.2 mile swim is on Saturday and will start after the last wave of Long Course Triathlon. Swimmers will start at the boat ramp, swim in a clockwise direction on a rectangular course which is marked with buoys. Swimmers must wear their timing tag at all times during the race. Swimmers will finish as they exit the water and cross the timing mats.