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2026 XTERRA WETSUITS Mission Bay Triathlon & San Diego 5K

Date:
Sun, Oct 11, 2026 at 6:40 AM – 12:00 PM
Location:
1100 W. Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, California
92109
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps
Links:
missionbaytriathlon.com Register at runsignup.com
Tags:
5k Aquabike Aquathlon Cycling Duathlon Run Swim Triathlon

Mark your calendars for event #3 of the San Diego Triathlon Series & the Triple Crown of Triathlon

📅 Sunday, October 11, 2026

📍 San Diego, CA – Mission Bay

Proud Host of the 2026 USAT State Championships 🏆

The XTERRA WETSUITS Mission Bay Triathlon is proud to once again host the 2026 USA Triathlon State Championships — featuring Age Group, High School, and Club Championships!

Olympic Distance / Sprint Distance / Duathlon / Aquabike / Aquathlon

What This Means for Racers:

🥇 State Champion Titles

Compete for the honor of being crowned California State Champion in your triathlon division (Sprint or International), as well as in High School and Club categories. Olympic Distance / Sprint Distance

🎽 Coveted State Champion Jersey

1st place winners in each age group, high school, and special category earn the exclusive right to purchase and wear the official California State Championship jersey.

🚩 Club State Championships

All State Championships also serve as the Club State Championships. Clubs (age group & high school) can earn the designation of Top Club in California and win a Club State Champion banner from USA Triathlon.

🎟️ Qualification for Nationals

Sprint Triathlon → Qualifies you for Sprint Nationals

International Triathlon → Qualifies you for Olympic-Distance Nationals

Top 35% of finishers or top 5 athletes (whichever is greater) qualify.

State Championships after June 1, 2026, qualify athletes for both 2026 AND 2027 Nationals.

🎓 High School Championships

Eligibility: Any student currently enrolled in high school and up to six (6) months post-graduation.

Exemption: All athletes who finish a State High School Championship race will automatically qualify for Sprint Nationals, provided they are age 15 or older by December 31, 2026.

🌍 Open to all athletes — residency in California is not required.

Why Race Mission Bay?

Race in San Diego’s iconic Mission Bay, claim your place on the podium, and showcase your achievement in the California State Championship Jersey. 🚴‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏃‍♀️

👉 Don’t miss your moment to race, win, and represent — Register today!

Join us at the birthplace of the sport for the XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon!

2026 is the 38th annual XTERRA Wetsuits Mission Bay Triathlon benefitting Life Sports Foundation. San Diego is the Birthplace of Triathlon! In 1974, the first Mission Bay Triathlon was as a run-bike-swim-run event on Fiesta Island by the San Diego Track Club. Every year competitors from around the country and from around the world, come to Mission Bay to celebrate the birthplace triathlon. We invite you to become part of this wonderful legacy event and become part of history!

The event offers races for adults and kids, from complete beginners to seasoned Professionals. There are many different races going on simultaneously, and while a traditional Triathlon is Swim / Bike / Run, KOZ Events, the organizer of the San Diego Triathlon Series, offers more of a Multisport Race. 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. If you do not like swimming, we have the Duathlon which is a Run/ Bike/ Run, if you don’t want to bike then choose the Aquathlon Swim / Run, or if you don’t want to run choose the Aquabike Swim/Bike. We even have a Mini Distance Triathlon for beginners that want to try 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.

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    Description

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    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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    Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Description

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    Fight Parkinson’s disease by joining us for our annual walk in support of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego!...

    Fighting Parkinson's Step-by-Step Walk

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    After April 1, 2026: $60

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    SHIRT AND BIB PICK-UP DETAILS:

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    Description

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    Prizes

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    Day of Schedule:

    5:30 AM - Packet Pick Up Opens

    7:00 AM - 5K RACE START

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    Kids 1K Fun Run Course

    Ages 12 and under1K Course through SeaWorld Official

    Race Shirt and Finisher Medal Race Bib

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    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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    Description

    🍩🏃‍♂️🍩🏃‍♂️🍩🏃‍♂️

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    Running for donuts is worth the pain. You'll get a run for donuts shirt to show off what you run for.

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    No hassle of picking up packets required!

    -Swag shipped direct to your address (Please make sure you provide your full, correct US mailing address including apartment number and check spelling)

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    When will I get my Swag?

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    Do you accept last minute registrations? (For those signing up 2 weeks before the race)

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    Wave Times: (Email Us Your Desired Wave Time: info@thebestraces.com)

    (Waves filled on a First Come, First Serve Basis)

    Wave A: 7:30AM

    Wave B: 8:00AM

    Wave C: 8:30AM

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    Are there any other Questions we missed?

    https://www.thebestraces.com/faq/

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    Sign-up for more races and get a discount!

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    https://www.thebestraces.com/events

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    Description

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    Overview:

    Run will sell-out QUICK!...

    ☕️For all the Coffee Lovers, this run is for you!

    You’ll love the shirt we send you. Set a goal, bring a friend, and join this super fun 5K/10K/13.1 Half-Marathon!

    Overview:

    Run will sell-out QUICK! We will close off waves the moment they fill up. If waves are sold out, you can sign-up for the virtual run option or wait list.

    This is a smaller, private group run with a cap per wave.

    All paces and ages (under 18 with guardian) are welcome - Run or Walk!

    There's no equipment or setup, this is a pure run with our coordinators to support you in a warm, stress-free setting!

    When you sign-up, we give you the support you need to help you achieve your goals and fitness. We also invite you to be part of our local run clubs that supports your fitness journey.

    Timing:

    • Timing is Optional: You may track your time on an app (Strava, RunKeeper, Nike Run, etc) and submit your times with our easy form to be posted online. Or you can ask our coordinators to help keep track of your time.

    • No timing chips (This is a stress free run to support you in achieving your goals)!

    What You Get (Swag Bag):

    • Running T-Shirt (Shipped to the address you register with - US only)

    • Finisher's Towel or Giveaway

    • Finisher's Medal!

    • Digital Training Pack

    • Online Results & Certificate of Completion

    • Invitation to Join one of our Local Running Clubs

    • We now have Technical Running Shirts (Optional). These lightweight, moisture wicking shirts can be upgraded for just $5 more.

    Packet Pickup:

    No hassle of picking up packets required!

    -Swag shipped direct to your address (Please make sure you provide your full, correct US mailing address including apartment number and check spelling)

    • Race bibs are provided on race day

    When will I get my Swag?

    You will get your shirt at your mailing address the week of your race.

    Race Updates:

    We will email you a final update the Wednesday before the race with final details and course maps.

    Do you accept last minute registrations? (For those signing up 2 weeks before the race)

    Yes, but please note that it takes time for us to ship your shirt. Your shirt will likely arrive after the run. You can wear any shirt you find appropriate to run the race!

    Wave Times: (Email Us Your Desired Wave Time: info@thebestraces.com)

    (Waves filled on a First Come, First Serve Basis)

    Wave A: 7:30AM

    Wave B: 8:00AM

    Wave C: 8:30AM

    Late runners can run upon arrival (Please note our coordinators stay 3 hours after the first wave)

    Are there any other Questions we missed?

    https://www.thebestraces.com/faq/

    Virtual Run Option:

    • Our Virtual Run uniquely offers a Training Pack with Digital Tools to support your run.

    Virtual runs can be done any time and place of your choosing using any tracking device (optional). After you finish, you can submit your results to info@thebestraces.com to receive your medal!

    Race Bundle:

    Sign-up for more races and get a discount!

    Sponsorships & Promoting your Business:

    If you're looking to become a sponsor, we'd love showcase your business!

    https://www.thebestraces.com/events

    Team Glo Volunteers:

    If you're interested in helping put on runs for the Community and helping people achieve their goals, we invite you to join our team of volunteers, fill out the form here: https://www.thebestraces.com/volunteer-form/

    Be part of the Journey!

    Our Charity Initiatives. Find out more @ www.thebestracesjourney.com

    Keep running. Every mile you log after the race, we'll donate $1 to one of the charities we work with! (Note that Fundraising is Optional)

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    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    5k 10k 21k Run Virtual

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