Wildflower Triathlon
Encyclopedia
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. The last place finisher was Paul "Mr. Liarpants" Huddle. 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. Traditionally it is associated with a Wildflower festival, though in recent years the festival has been eclipsed by the increasingly large athletic event.
men and women, and relay teams. Swimmers will swim in a clockwise direction on the triangular course. The course will have sailboats, clearly marked, at the corners and there will be course marker buoys and lifeguards on long boards every 100 yards. The swimmers will exit the water, go through the timing area, up the ramp and into the transition area.
and Samantha McGlone
. Bozzone completed the half-Ironman distance in 3 hours, 53 minutes and 43 seconds, beating the previous record by 6 minutes, while McGlone posted a time of 4 hours, 31 minutes and 8 seconds, improving the 1992 record of 4 hours, 32 minutes and 4 seconds.
and is known as the "Avia Wildflower Triathlons".
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
(swim-bike-run race) held at Lake San Antonio
Lake San Antonio
Lake San Antonio is a lake in southern Monterey County, California. The lake is formed by an earthfill dam on the San Antonio River. The dam is 202 feet tall and was completed in 1965 under Monterey County District Engineer Loran Bunte Jr . The lake and dam are owned by the Monterey County Water...
in Central California
Central California
Central California, sometimes referenced as Mid-State, is an area of California south of the San Francisco Bay Area and north of Southern California...
since 1983, the first winner being legendary Dean "The Machine" Harper. The last place finisher was Paul "Mr. Liarpants" Huddle. It is held the first weekend in May each year.
The original course was expanded to the standardized half-Ironman
Ironman Triathlon
An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation consisting of a swim, a bike and a marathon run, raced in that order and without a break...
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. Traditionally it is associated with a Wildflower festival, though in recent years the festival has been eclipsed by the increasingly large athletic event.
Swim course
The 1.2 miles (1.9 km) swim course will begin 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. The course has sailboats with bright objects attached to their masts as the corners, and there will be course marker buoys every 100 yards along with lifeguards on kayaks lining the course. Swimmers exit the water, go up the ramp, through the timing area and into the transition area.Bike course
The course is 56 miles (90.1 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 miles (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 32. At mile 32, the course continues onto Nacimiento Road. At mile 34 follow Nacimiento left up "Nasty Grade", a nearly five mile grade which climbs 1000 feet (304.8 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 miles (80.5 km) point a right turn onto San Antonio Drive and head back to the park. Finally, down Lynch Hill for the last descent.Run course
The 13.1 miles (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.Swim course
The 1.5k (.93 mile) swim course will begin at the Lynch Ramp. There will be more than 20 wave starts at 5 minute intervals beginning with collegiate men and women, age group men and women, Team in TrainingTeam in Training
Team in Training, also known by the acronym TNT, is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's endurance sports training program. The program provides training for a half marathon, marathon, triathlon, century bike ride, or a cross-country ski marathon...
men and women, and relay teams. Swimmers will swim in a clockwise direction on the triangular course. The course will have sailboats, clearly marked, at the corners and there will be course marker buoys and lifeguards on long boards every 100 yards. The swimmers will exit the water, go through the timing area, up the ramp and into the transition area.
Bike course
The bike course is 40K (24.8 miles) long and should be considered relatively difficult. The bike portion of the course will be marked by large green diamonds. Cyclist will leave the transition area to the north and proceed directly up "Lynch Hill." On San Antonio Drive athletes head out of the park and onto Interlake Road. On Interlake Road, triathletes proceed over rolling hills to the turn-around point at mile 12.4. Triathletes will return to the park on the same roads. As they re-enter the park, riders turn left and head down Lynch Hill and back to the transition area.Run course
The 10k (6.2 mile) run course is a combination of road and trails through campgrounds and challenging hills. The run portion of the course will be marked by Small Green Diamonds. Triathletes will depart the transition area to the southwest, and climb the Lynch Ramp stairs. Turn left on the trail below the resort store lawn. Cross the bridge and proceed down the beach access road through "Beach City." At the base of "Beach Hill," continue straight off of the road and on to the trails along the shoreline (no beach hill this time). Follow the trails through Harris Creek campgrounds, and proceed past the launch ramp parking lot and onto Lake San Antonio Drive. Turn right up San Antonio Drive and at the Beach Hill intersection triathletes leave the road for trails and follow the fire access trail back to Lynch intersection. Finally, triathletes return to the road and turn right down Lynch hill to the finish chute and the finish line.Course closures
The AVIA Wildflower Triathlons Festival have established course closures for each portion of the triathlon. These closures are based upon the start time of the last individual age group wave and are for the safety of participants and volunteers.Long course
- Swim: 10:30 AM (1:05 after the start of the last wave)
- Bike: 2:45 PM (5:20 after the start of the last wave)
- Run: 5:45 PM (8:20 after the start of the last wave)
Olympic course
- Swim: 12:15PM (1:20 after the start of the last individual age group wave)
- Bike: 2:45 PM (3:50 after the start of the last individual age group wave)
- Run: 4:15 PM (5:20 after the start of the last individual age group wave)
Course records
The current course records, both set in 2006, are held by Terenzo BozzoneTerenzo Bozzone
Terenzo Bozzone is a professional triathlete from New Zealand.- Athletic career :Bozzone was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand with his family as a young boy. He was a talented athlete at school winning many national titles in a variety of disciplines including cross country running,...
and Samantha McGlone
Samantha McGlone
Samantha McGlone is a Canadian triathlete.McGlone competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She took twenty-seventh place with a total time of 2:10:14.24...
. Bozzone completed the half-Ironman distance in 3 hours, 53 minutes and 43 seconds, beating the previous record by 6 minutes, while McGlone posted a time of 4 hours, 31 minutes and 8 seconds, improving the 1992 record of 4 hours, 32 minutes and 4 seconds.
Corporate sponsorship
The Wildflower Triathlon is operated and trademarked by Tricalifornia Events, Inc., and is currently sponsored by AviaAvia (shoes)
Avia is an American shoe company founded by American entrepreneur Jerry Stubblefield in Oregon, in 1979. Stubblefield reportedly came up with the word "avia" while on a jet flight, and decided to use it as a brand name for a sports shoe to suggest aviation.-History:Jerry Stubblefield and his son...
and is known as the "Avia Wildflower Triathlons".