PHOTO COURTESY RICH CRUSE, CRUSEPHOTO.COM
With Long Beach set to host the Olympic triathlon event in 2028 as part of the Los Angeles Olympics, the city has been planning on hosting some big events in the almost-decade run-up to the Games. USA Triathlon announced last year that they’d host a decade-long Legacy Triathlon series in the city, and recently announced the details of the first event, set to happen in Long Beach July 19-20.
Alamitos Beach will host a 750-person age group sprint-distance triathlon on Saturday, July 20, as the inaugural Legacy Triathlon lets the national organizing body kick the tires on the course. That same day, the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships will also kick off its annual series in the city.
The sprint triathlon will consist of a 750-meter swim off the coast, then an 18.9 kilometer bike ride down Queens Highway and Shoreline Drive, finishing with an out-and-back 5.1 kilometer run along the shore.
The race is expected to sell out, but registration is currently open at http://www.usatriathlon.org.
On Friday, July 19, the coast will play host to three other events. There will be an open water swim competition on Friday evening, as USA Triathlon partners with USA Swimming and US Masters Swimming to put on two distances, 750 meters of 1,500 meters. Earlier in the afternoon, there’s a Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon, which is an introductory event for youth athletes age 7-15, primarily featuring Boys & Girls Club athletes from Long Beach.
That morning, USA Triathlon will host a Paratriathlon Clinic for any para-athletes who’d like to try the sport out–no experience is required. For more information on any of the events, visit the USA Triathlon website or email nationalevents@usatriathlon.org for more information.
