Tritonman is not just a race, it's an event.

On February 28th and March 1st, 2026, the UC San Diego Triathlon Team will host the 18th annual Tritonman at the site of history's first modern triathlon. Starting in 1974, the San Diego Track Club put on the first-ever Mission Bay Triathlon (consisting of a run-bike-swim-run) right here on our Fiesta Island race site. UCSD is proud to continue that legacy today with Tritonman: a 750m swim, 21K bike, and 5K run. We will have two USAT-Sanctioned races: an Elite Development Draft Legal Sprint on Saturday and a beginner friendly Classic Sprint on Sunday.

Tritonman offers one of the only open-water swim race opportunities before the conference championships in the WCCTC circuit. Plus, we've got the flattest, fastest closed bike course around. We feature collegiate athletes from up and down the west coast, local racers from San Diego (consistently ranked as the #1 city in the country for the sport of triathlon), along with enthusiasts and elites alike from all across the country.

Our Philosophy

Triathletes come from a lot of different backgrounds. Ultimately, we’re united in our desire to work hard and improve. We’d like to think that extends to our events, too. Our race is entirely run by hardworking student volunteers. From equipment rentals to permits and lifeguards, every dollar we collect in race fees goes to support our team.
We are proud to say that UCSD Triathlon has grown immensely in recent years. We appreciate your support in our mission to continue bringing new faces to the sport, even in the face of continued university cutbacks.

Race Committee

Race Director - Shaina King Race Director - Kieran Stanko

Leads
Volunteer Lead: Alexis Hammond
Swim Lead: Linnea Cooley
Bike Lead: Logan King
Run Lead: Avery Heid
Transition Lead: Nico Song
Equipment Lead: Marisol Mendoza
Food/Sponsorship Lead: Wesley Bantugan
Registration Lead: Heidi Ulrickson
Media Lead: Natan Dei

Our goal is to make our event better every year. That means bringing you more coverage of our race, exclusive prizes from our sponsors, and same-day release of times. If you have questions or concerns about Tritonman, please contact us .

FAQ

Q: What is The Refund Policy For The 2026 RACE?
A: As of 2024 we no longer issue refunds under any circumstances for Tritonman. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Q: Why can't my USAT member number be validated even though my membership is current?
A: If your USAT number cannot be validated during registration, make sure that your membership is valid through the race date. If it expires before the race date, you must either renew your membership or purchase a one day license.

Q: Is the park pet friendly?
A: The park allows pets until 9am, after which time pets are prohibited. We ask that you please help us out by following this regulation, as we risk losing our permit for the race due to repeated infractions by spectators in previous years. We love dogs too, but we don't make the rules! Service animals are always welcome.

Q: Do you offer any discounts?

A: Members of the Triathlon Club of San Diego (TCSD) as well as military service members receive discounted race entries for both our draft-legal and classic races. We are also offering discounts to UCSD affiliates with a valid ucsd.edu email. Please contact tritonmanracedirector@gmail.com to receive a discount code.

Q: I forgot to register online, can I still sign up?
A: Yes, you can register for the classic race at packet pickup on Friday or Saturday. We will also offer race-day registration for our classic race on Sunday morning, from 5-6am. Note that prices are higher for registration at packet pickup/race day, so we encourage you to register online to avoid the hassle and save money!

Q: What if it rains?

A: Tritonman will be held rain or shine. While San Diego is lucky to have warm weather year-round, winter storms do happen. The City of San Diego issues a water quality alert for all beaches and bays for 72 hours after significant rainfall, due to elevated bacteria levels. If this requires us to cancel our swim, the race will be held as a duathlon (run-bike-run). In case of minor/moderate rainfall, we may still be able to host our swim depending on bacteria levels, and we will keep this website updated accordingly.

Q: Why can't I find the registration link for the draft-legal race?
A: Registration for our draft-legal race on Saturday requires approval from the race committee, due to the competitive nature of the race and limited number of spots available. Please go to our draft-legal page for more information to register. Once approved, athletes will receive a unique registration link via email.

Q: Is this race beginner friendly?
A: Yes! Our Classic race on Sunday is perfect for new triathletes. Swimming in the bay makes it easier on folks new to swimming. If you're not yet comfortable swimming open water, we will have swim buddies available to swim with you. The bike and run are both pancake flat (the biggest hill is a speed bump). Come out and join us for your first triathlon! Please note that our Saturday draft-legal race is for experienced triathletes only.

Q: Is A Wetsuit Mandatory?

A: Although San Diego is known for its year-round sunshine, Tritonman is held in the winter when the water temps get cold. We cannot guarantee whether or not Tritonman will be wetsuit mandatory, but we do have to follow the rules should the water temp fall below the wetsuit mandatory threshold. We will make an official announcement closer to the race date, but I would expect it to be in your best interest to bring a wetsuit.

Tritonman is not just a race, it's an event.

Our Philosophy

Sustainability

Race Committee

Huge thanks to our sponsors!