Best 7 triathlons in Los Angeles County
Triathlons are legendary races incorporating running, biking, and swimming into one epic event.
Depending on the type of triathlon, they will have varying distances.
Whether you have signed up for a triathlon for the first time or you are a veteran racer, you must train smart, work hard, and know where the races are.
Paseo Club is a social club in Santa Clarita Valley for athletes of all skill levels. Instructors train kids, adults, and seniors to challenge themselves to perform at their very best.
Because some of our members and staff are triathletes, we decided to write this article. By the time you are done reading it, you will learn where the best triathlons in Los Angeles County are, what the different types of triathlons are, and important tips for preparing for a triathlon.
Best triathlons in Los Angeles County
The triathlons selected are organized based on the dates, soonest to furthest away. The first triathlon starts on August 6, 2022, and the last one of the season is on November 20, 2022.
1. Castaic Lake Triathlon
Just 20 miles north of Los Angles is the beautiful Castaic Lake. Castaic Lake is an 11,200-acre facility with two lakes. There is boating, fishing, hiking, walking, horseback riding, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, camping, picnicking, kayaking, and sailing.
The Castaic Lake Sprint Triathlon is an annual race for adults, kids, and relay teams. This year it is held on August 6, 2022.
Participants will run on nearby rolling hills, swim in the lake, and bike on scenic back roads. This is a great family-friendly event.
The cost is $45 - 100.
2. Hermosa Beach Triathlon
The Hermosa Beach Triathlon is held beachside as an amazing multisport event. Racers swim in the ocean, run in the sand along the beach, and bike by the pier.
The 2022 triathlon is held on August 14, so register soon!
Athletes as young as 14 can participate. The triathlon is also available to para-athletes, relay teams, adults, and seniors.
Friends and family can bring a picnic, watch the race, and cool off by diving into the ocean.
The Hermosa Beach Triathlon partnered with Sophia’s Buddies Foundation which supports families, and hospitals and spreads awareness about childhood cancer. They are hoping to raise $10,000 at this race.
The cost is $174.
3. Malibu Triathlon
According to the 2XU Malibu Triathlon staff, “The Malibu Triathlon brings together celebrities, studios, entertainment industry corporations, pro triathletes, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles supporters, and everyday weekend warriors to compete for an amazing cause.”
This race is a charity event for the Children’s Hospital of LA and has raised over $15 million in 14 years.
There are several ways to participate in this triathlon. Individual athletes can sign up for Olympic or Classic Distance. There are corporate, collegiate, and club teams. Relay teams, para-athletes, and teens can also compete.
The Malibu Triathlon takes place on September 17 and 18th, 2022.
The tot trot is $20, individuals are $250, and teams are $370.
4. Cal Tri LA
The Cal Tri LA takes place in Playa del Rey at Dockweiler State Beach on October 23, 2022. It is located in an idyllic small town community just south of Venice Beach.
There are 14 different ways for athletes to partake in this triathlon, so you can choose how you want to compete. This is a great option for beginner triathletes.
All racers receive a participant shirt and finisher medal.
The cost for a single race is $40, two races are $80, and the triathlon is $120. Youth ages 7-22 are half the price.
5. Catalina Island Triathlon
Catch the Catalina Express and head to the island for the Catalina Island Triathlon. This event is also a duathlon and a 5k run so racers can pick their poison.
You can compete individually or in a relay team at this race.
Competitors swim in Avalon Bay, bike around Mt. Ada, and then run around Hogs Back and down by Chimes Tower to the finish line in downtown Avalon.
The race is on Saturday, October 29, 2022, which makes it a great autumn race.
There are four different prices depending on when you register. The 5k is $35-60, the duathlon and triathlon are $115-155, and relay teams pay between $145-180.
6. Bayshore 70.3 & Olympic Triathlon - Fall Classic
The Bayshore 70.3 & Olympic Triathlon - Fall Classic is held on November 5, 2022, on Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach.
The Bayshore 70.3 encompasses 2200 yards of swimming, 56 miles of biking, and a 13.1-mile run.
The Olympic Triathlon is about half Bayshore’s distances at 1200 yards of swimming, a 26-mile bike ride, and a 6.5-mile run.
The swim takes place in a protected bay, the biking is on open public roads, and participants run flat loops in town.
Throughout the course, aid stations will offer water, electrolyte drinks, energy bars, gels, bananas, pretzels, and gummy bears.
The triathlon cost $155 and The Bayshore long course 70.3 is $195.
7. San Dimas Triathlon
The San Dimas triathlon is called the “turkey triathlon” because it is held right before Thanksgiving on November 20, 2022.
San Dimas is a small town at the base of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, making it a scenic spot for a great race.
Athletes swim in the Puddingstone Reservoir and run and ride on trails through the Frank G Bonelli Regional County Park.
This triathlon offers three different distances, so you can select the degree of challenge you desire.
- Alpha Open: is for beginner triathletes who are competing in their first race
- Alpha Sprint: is geared toward the budding triathlete who has a few smaller races under their belt
- Alpha Olympic: is for seasoned endurance athletes
The fees for this event are $33-39 for the Opens, $48-196 (including youth, military, individual, teams, and more) for the Sprint, and $83-289 (including youth, military, individual, teams, and more) for the Olympic race.
The Cost of a triathlon
The cost to take part in a triathlon depends on several factors. Each category has its own price. The prices are higher for charity fundraisers.
- Individual: Adult individuals often pay the most to race.
- Team: When you are part of a team the cost is divided by two or three making it less expensive than if you were racing on your own.
- Kid/Youth: Many triathlons have races for kids or teens that are at discounted rates.
- Single or double sport: If you choose to do only one or two of the races, but not the full triathlon, the price is often reduced.
- Registration date: There is often discounted rates for early registration
“Share” a triathlon
If you are curious about participating in a race but are nervous about competing in all three sports, you can often choose to be a part of a team.
Teams of two or three people create relay teams that share the triathlon. Select one or two events and your partner(s) can do the remaining one(s).
This is a great way to participate in a triathlon for someone new to the sport.
Not all triathlons offer this option. Make sure to review the competition rules to see that relay teams can take part.
Alternatively, some triathlons offer athletes the opportunity to participate in only one or two components of the race.
Types of triathlons
There are four different triathlons of varying distances.
- Sprint (16 miles): 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and a 5-kilometer run
- Olympic (51.5 kilometers): 1500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run
- Half Ironman (70.3 miles): 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run
- Full Ironman (140.6 miles): 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run
How to train for a triathlon
If you are going to complete in your first triathlon, plan to train for 12 weeks.
If you are very healthy, fit, and familiar with swimming, biking, and running, an 8-week program could be sufficient. If you are newer to fitness and are learning how to run, bike, and swim distances for the first time, you may want to give yourself up to 16 weeks to train.
Here are some important tips to know to prepare for a triathlon.
- Train in all three sports.
- Gradually add distance to your workouts.
- Practice transitioning. For instance, one day swim and then get on your bike and ride. Another day you could bike, and then get off your bike and go for a run.
- Practice changing gear quickly between events.
- Some athletes do a practice run through all three sports.
- Be able to complete the triathlon that you sign up for plus 10% more distance.
- Cross-train with resistance-based workouts.
- Rest one to two days per week.
Eating right for a triathlon
Training and competing in endurance sports is very demanding on your body. Eating and hydrating correctly is an important part of being an athlete.
Nutrition during training
Eating when you train is the foundation…
Protein
When you train for a triathlon, specialists say that an athlete should eat 1.4-1.6 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day. This means that a 160-pound person needs to eat 100-115 grams of protein per day.
Source protein from meats, poultry, fish, protein powder/shakes, eggs, beans and rice, and dairy products.
Many triathletes consume 20-30 grams of daily protein post-workout to aid recovery.
Carbohydrates
Protein is not the only nutrient necessary for training. Healthy carbohydrates, at 2.5 grams per pound of bodyweight, provide critical energy stores for a person training for long hours each week.
Nourishing sources of carbs are whole grains, beans, winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and fruit.
Fat
Many people are cautious about their fat intake. But fat plays a critical role in mitigating inflammation. You can actually eat 20-30% of your total calories in fat.
Look to coconut, dairy products, meats, avocados, olive oil, and nuts for great fat sources.
Water
Training makes you thirsty. Depending on the weather, your gender, size, age, and how hard you train that day, hydration needs vary. Often athletes drink 2-4 liters of water per day.
Remember to include some electrolyte replacement products in your water to maintain healthy sodium and potassium levels.
Nutrition on pre-race day
It is said that you should do nothing new on the day before and the day of the race. This is not a time to experiment.
Athletes are famous for “carbing up” with mountainous platefuls of pasta the night before the race. But that is not what everyone does. Some people prefer steak, tacos, pizza, or other foods that seem to work well for them.
Most athletes do try to minimize high fat or high fiber foods, so as to not have any digestive interference on the day of the race. This means NO BRAN MUFFINS.
Nutrition on race day
Eat your morning meal about 1 ½ hours prior to the race. Triathletes often eat a little protein and carbs, such as a bowl of oatmeal with fruit and an egg or two.
You can pack a small bite to eat about 30 minutes before the race starts.
Once the triathlon begins, support your body with regular sips of water and energy replacement products such as bars, gels, chews, or gu.
Next steps towards your triathlon in LA County
Triathlons are not for everyone. But they are fun events that can help you challenge yourself to see what new peaks of fitness and athletic performance you can reach.
Triathlons can also be a fun community event that enhances your social connections. This happens by competing in a group, meeting other athletes, and/or racing for a favorite charity.
Now that you have finished this article, you have learned about the triathlons in Los Angeles County, the types of triathlons that exist, as well as essential steps in training and eating right for a triathlon.
We hope that this information has provided you with a place to embark on your own triathlon journey.
If you are looking for a fitness facility that has the equipment and staff that can help you train in running, biking, or swimming, the Paseo Club is the right place. You can join a fitness class to build muscle and endurance so you can crush it at your next triathlon or meet up with one of our triathlete instructors for private training.
Learn about our new indoor bikes you can use to train for cycling. Or read about what the rules are for playing with pain.
Are you in the Santa Clarita Valley but haven’t seen our club? Schedule a tour today and see what the excitement is all about.
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