LAKE SAN ANTONIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 7,500 elite and amateur triathletes from around the world are expected to convene at Lake San Antonio in Central California April 29 – May 1 to participate in one of the sport’s most well-known and longest running events, the Avia Wildflower Triathlons Festival. Due to high demand, Tri-California Events is offering an increased field over past years, meaning potential participants can still register to take part in what’s been called the ‘Woodstock’ of triathlons.
The 29th annual Avia Wildflower event consists of three separate triathlons and a three day festival where participants, families and spectators camp out, listen to live music, and enjoy food vendors and race clinics.
“The festival’s celebrated history, and the encouraging and inspiring environment is like no other in sports,” noted Terry Davis, CEO Tri-California Events. “While it is a must stop for the elite triathlete, a first-timer will find that Wildflower will ignite a passion for the sport where we ‘exercise with purpose.’”
The Long Course Triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) is the marquee event and features a harrowing 56-mile bike ride around Lake San Antonio, which includes a notorious, five-mile uphill climb nicknamed ‘Nasty Grade’ and a backcountry trail that’ll prove to be a challenge for even the best triathletes. The Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) and its rigorous course through ‘Lynch Hill’ will test the will of 3,000 amateur triathletes and will also serve as the Wildflower Collegiate Championship, open to triathletes currently enrolled in a college or university. The Mountain Bike Triathlon (.25 mile swim, 9.7 mile bike, 2.7 mile run) features an on- and off-road course that offers a great introductory challenge for the first-time triathlete.
This historic event also signals the start of Tri-California’s 2011 Elite Series, which consists of four races and a total purse of $115,000. Elite athletes including former winners Julie Dibens, Virginia Berasategui, and Leanda Cave, and past male champions Bjorn Andersson and Tim Deboom, will return to Wildflower to try their hand at the $40,000 purse. Additional races part of the Elite Series including the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island, the San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz, and the Triathlon at Pacific Grove.
Participants can choose to race individually, as part of a relay team or the Tri Club Competition, and even to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Athletes from the “Challenged Athletes Foundation” will participate as part of the highlight of this year’s event, and Wildflower also supports Lifewater and Team Trevor.
2011 sponsors include AVIA, PowerBar, Gatorade, C9 by Champion for Target, El Monte RV, Orca, Aqua Sphere, CALSTAR, Orbeca, Sports Basement, and 98.1 KJUG.
For more information and to register, please visit http://www.tricalifornia.com.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
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WHAT: |
“The One and Only” Avia Wildflower Triathlons Festival features more than 7,500 elite and amateur triathletes and 30,000 spectators camping, listening to live music, and enjoying food vendors and race clinics. | |||||
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WHEN: |
Long Course Triathlon Start | |||||
| Saturday, April 30, 2011- 8:00 a.m. PT | ||||||
| Mountain Bike Triathlon Start | ||||||
| Saturday, April 30, 2011- 9:45 a.m. PT | ||||||
| Olympic Distance Triathlon Start | ||||||
| Sunday, May 1, 2011- 9:00 a.m. PT | ||||||
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WHERE: |
Lake San Antonio | |||||
| 2610 San Antonio Road, Bradley, CA, 93426 |
About Tri-California Events
Tri-California Events is an event management company that produces triathlon and running races throughout California including the Avia Wildflower Triathlons, San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island, San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz, Triathlon at Pacific Grove, and Scott Tinley Adventures. In addition, Tri-California serves as the race production company for the Nike Women’s Marathon.
At Tri-California, our goal is to motivate individuals of all ages and fitness levels to lead a healthier lifestyle by “exercising with purpose” and participating in training and racing opportunities in the sport of triathlon and running races. For more information on Tri-California Events and upcoming events, please visit www.tricalifornia.com.