Wildflower Triathlon

The Wildflower Triathlon is a triathlon (swim-bike-run race) held at Lake San Antonio in Central California since 1983, the first winner being legendary Dean "The Machine" Harper. It is held the first weekend in May each year.

The original course was expanded to the standardized half-Ironman distance (1.2 mi / 56 mi / 13.1 mi) in the late 1980s, and is often referred to as simply the long course. Two more races have subsequently been added to the event: an Olympic-distance (1.5 km / 40 km / 10 km) race and a short or "sprint" mountain-bike triathlon (0.25 mi / 9.7 mi / 2 mi).

Known for a particularly hilly and grueling course, it is one of the largest triathlon events in the world, with 7,500 athletes and 30,000 spectators attending each year at its peak. Traditionally it is associated with a Wildflower festival, though in recent years the festival had been eclipsed by the increasingly large athletic event. A drastic drop in lake level in 2014 led to a modified course and lower attendance. Shortly after the 2015 event, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors announced it would close Lake San Antonio due to low water levels.

1.2 m Swim, 56 m Bike, 13.1 m Run

The 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim course begins at the Lynch Ramp. The race starts in waves, with the professional men, the professional women, age group men, age group women, and relay teams. Swimmers swim in a clockwise direction on a rectangular course. There are course marker buoys and lifeguards on kayaks lining the course. Swimmers exit the water, go up the ramp, through the timing area and into the transition area.

The course is 56 miles (90 km) long and is considered relatively difficult. Triathletes leave the transition area to the north and make a quick left through the finish line chute. Athletes follow the road down Shoreline Drive to the beach area and as it turns right up "Beach Hill", a steep 1-mile (1.6 km) climb. The course proceeds onto San Antonio Drive and out of the park onto Interlake Road past the first check point at mile six. Bicyclists will proceed on Interlake Road over rolling hills before turning onto Jolon Road (19 miles). Triathletes will have small rolling hills along Jolon Road from mile 26 to 42. At mile 42, follow Nacimiento left up "Nasty Grade", a nearly five mile grade which climbs 1,000 feet (300 m) from bottom to top of "Heart Rate Hill." At the top of the hill it's back onto Interlake Road and then at the 50-mile (80 km) point a right turn onto San Antonio Drive and head back to the park. Finally, down Lynch Hill for the last descent.

The 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run course is 60% trails and 40% roads. Triathletes will depart the transition area to the southwest and climb the Lynch Ramp stairs. Once on the trail below the resort store lawn athletes cross the bridge and proceed down the beach access road through "Beach City." At the base of "Beach Hill" athletes continue straight off of the road and on to the trails along the shoreline until the Harris Creek campgrounds. After this, follow the paved road as it turns right past the launch ramp for a short climb up the hill. At mile 3 turn left onto the back country trails. The trail follows the creek to Long Valley with two steep hills to climb out the other side at 5.7 miles (9.2 km). Triathletes proceed back into the park alongside the road on trails and fire roads through Redondo Vista Campgrounds, the TNT camp site area, and the overflow camping area. At mile 9, the course returns to the roads, making a right turn at San Antonio Drive. Triathletes proceed up the road and down the hill to the PowerBar turn-around point and at mile 10 they have a chance to see where their competition is as they race back up the hill and proceed back on San Antonio Drive. Finally, athletes head down Lynch Hill towards the finish chute and finish line.

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