Pacific Coast Triathlon

A souvenir premium shirt, chip timing, finisher medal, and post-race food. VIP packages add race-day packet pickup, premium parking, and VIP lounge access.

Saturday, September 12 from 8am-12pm at Crystal Cove State Park. Race-morning pickup runs 5:00–6:45 AM at the same Athlete Check-In area — VIP athletes included, no separate line. Race-day pickup is included with VIP and Race Day Pickup purchases; otherwise there is a $20 convenience fee. Every athlete must collect their own packet and show photo ID.

Crystal Cove water temperature averages around 70°F (21°C) in September — wetsuit-legal and comfortable for most swimmers.

Sprint Course – It’s a rolling course — about 865 feet of climbing over the 12.4 miles, all along Pacific Coast Highway. You’re never higher than 135 feet above sea level, so no major climbs — just gentle rises and descents the whole way.

Olympic Course – Rolling — same character as the Sprint course, just twice the distance. 1,691 ft of climbing over 25 miles, all along Pacific Coast Highway. You’re never higher than 135 feet above sea level. No major climbs, no leg-burners

Course Maps and Elevation

Yes — both Sprint and Olympic distances offer relay options, either as a team or as an individual splitting the legs.

A portion of every entry supports the Love for Los Foundation, our official charity partner.  The UCI Medical Students, providing medical services at the finish line and on the race course.  Other local non-profit groups, providing assistance with check in, transition, aid stations and more

Yes — during registration on RunSignup you can opt in to fundraise for Love for Los Foundation.

All registrations are final and non-refundable. If your plans change, you can defer your entry through your RunSignup account by August 20, 2026. See our Refunds & Deferrals policy for full details.

Log in to your RunSignup account, find your Pacific Coast Triathlon registration, and select the deferral option. All deferrals must be submitted by August 20, 2026. After that date, no refunds, deferrals, transfers, or credits are available. Read the full policy.

The Reef Point and Pelican Point lots hard close at 6:30 AM on race day. No entry after that, no exceptions. PCH itself stays open — traffic runs both directions on the northbound side — but you will not be able to get into these two lots. If you have VIP or Premium Parking (Reef Point), you must be inside the lot by 6:30 AM. Gates open at 5:00 AM and suggested arrival is 5:30 AM. Los Trancos and Moro never close — use those if you are running late. Lots reopen approximately 10:00 AM. See the parking page for details.

Your packet includes: bib number (worn for the run), bike timing chip and helmet stickers, silicone swim cap (required for the swim), ankle timing chip (must be worn on your ankle), wristband (proves you are a participant and gets you into transition), and your souvenir shirt. Relay teams share one packet and hand the ankle chip off like a baton. Ankle chips must be returned after the race or you will be billed for the replacement. Full details and bike tag instructions →

Swim waves run 7:00 AM to 7:40 AM — 11 waves total. Olympic distances go first (7:00–7:15), then Sprint (7:30–7:40). Olympic Duathlon starts at 7:15 AM and Sprint Duathlon at 7:40 AM. The 5K Run/Walk starts at 7:00 AM at the Finish Line. Your wave number and cap color are printed on your packet and posted at athlete check-in and on the race board at transition.

Live results are at geminiraceresults.com — splits post as you cross each timing mat, so friends and family can follow along in real time. Look up your bib in advance at the roster kiosk.

Briefings are led by Coach Russ Jones, an 8-time Pacific Coast age group champion and founder of Tri Less Is More. He runs two sessions during Saturday check-in — 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM — covering course review, safety, and race-day best practices. Especially worth it if this is your first triathlon.

All lots except Reef Point use LAZ Parking — pay at the kiosk on entry or scan the QR code in the lot. Card or mobile pay only, no cash. Download the LAZ app the night before; cell service at Crystal Cove is spotty. Parking is $15. Reef Point is the VIP / Premium lot — add it to your registration at runsignup.com/profile.

Yes — all triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, and relay athletes must be body marked to enter transition on Sunday. Body marking is available at Athlete Check-In both Saturday and Sunday. Your number goes on your left shoulder and left hand. 5K Run/Walk participants are exempt.

No. Every athlete must pick up their own packet and show photo ID. Relay teams share one packet, but a team member still needs to collect it in person with ID.

Yes. Transition is open for bike racking and setup during Saturday check-in, and overnight security is provided. It is one less thing to haul at 5 AM on race morning. Bring your own gear — anything you leave is at your own risk, but the area is monitored.

The 5K Run/Walk starts at 7:00 AM at the Finish Line — same time as the triathlon first wave, different start location. The 5K awards ceremony is at 8:00 AM. 5K participants do not need body marking and do not enter transition.

Venue gates open at 5:00 AM and suggested arrival is 5:30 AM. Athlete Check-In opens at 5:30 AM. Remember that the Reef Point and Pelican Point lots hard close at 6:30 AM, and transition closes for setup at 6:55 AM.

Sprint is 2 laps. Olympic is 4 laps. Both ride the same ~6.2-mile loop on Pacific Coast Highway — Sprint covers it twice for 20 K, Olympic four times for 40 K. Count your own laps. There is no lap counting on course — you must track your own. Riding the wrong number of laps is the most common mistake at this race, and it is on you to get it right.

Sprint is 1 lap. Olympic is 2 laps of the same rectangular course, marked by buoys. Olympic athletes exit the water, run a short section of beach, and re-enter for the second lap. Your cap color tells the water safety crew which wave you are in.

No. Your chip stays on from start to finish. It records you at every timing mat — swim exit, bike out, bike in, run, and the finish line. Athletes sometimes pull the ankle chip off in transition after the swim; if you do, your splits and your finish time stop right there and cannot be recovered. Chip on at the start, chip on at the finish, nothing in between. Return it after you finish — unreturned chips are billed to your registration.

No. 5K Run/Walk athletes are timed by a chip attached to the back of the bib number — there is no ankle strap. Wear your bib on the front of your shirt, do not fold or crease it, and leave it on until you cross the finish line. 5K participants also do not need body marking and do not enter the transition area.