Around 2,000 people are expected to take part in the 35th annual XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon benefiting Life Sports Foundation on Sunday, Oct. 9. The amount of participants is a noticeable increase from last year’s iteration of 1,250 participants many of whom decided not to travel to the race because of the pandemic.

“San Diego is the ‘birthplace of triathlon,’” said Koz Events race director Carrie Panek.

There will be several different races going on simultaneously at the event and, while a traditional triathlon is swim-bike-run, more of a multisport race will be offered by KOZ Events, the organizer of the San Diego Triathlon Series.

“The event offers races for adults and kids, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals,” Panek added. “Our race is very inclusive and we make triathlon accessible to as many people as possible. We have the traditional swim-bike-run triathlon but we offer so much more.”

In 1974, the first Mission Bay Triathlon was as held as a run-bike-swim-run event on Fiesta Island by the San Diego Track Club with competitors from around the world coming to Mission Bay every year to race. Those who do not like swimming can take part in the duathlon, which is a run-bike-run. Those who don’t want to bike, there can choose the aquathlon swim-run, and those who rather not run, choose the aquabike swim-bike. There will also be mini-distance triathlon for beginners who are newcomers or just trying out the sport.

“We even offer free training groups every week to help people get started, train, and get connected to the San Diego Triathlon community,” said Panek.

Life Sports Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people of all abilities who are facing physical or medical challenges to enrich their lives through sports and is the official charity of Race Across America.

For more information on the triathlon, visit https://www.missionbaytriathlon.com/.

The events for Sunday with the corresponding distances are:

International Triathlon: 1000m swim – 34k bike – 9k run;

Sprint Triathlon: 500m swim – 17k bike – 5k run;

Sprint Duathlon Run/Bike/Run: 1 mile run – 17k bike – 5k run;

Sprint Aquabike Swim/Bike: 500m swim – 17k bike;

Sprint Aquathlon Swim/Run: 500 Meter Swim & 5K Run;

Mini Sprint Triathlon Swim/Bike/Run (11 yrs & older): 200m swim – 4 mile bike – 1.5 mile runs;

Bitsy Triathlon (7-10 yrs old): 100m swim – 2 mile bike – .75 mile run.

Photo by Endurance Sports Photos