California’s cult triathlon is making a comeback
The Wildflower Experience triathlon weekend returns in May
After a five year hiatus the ground is once again fertile to host a return of the legendary Wildflower triathlon festival at Lake San Antonia in Bradley, California.
Now the Wildflower Experience Triathlon, it used to have a cultish following reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. In its heyday it was one of the largest triathlon events in the world. With a weekend long festival atmosphere it is dubbed the ‘Woodstock for Triathlon.’
A gruelling course with hills and heat
The hot and hilly course is returning this year on May 2-4 with the long, Olympic and sprint distances, including a relay option. The sprint distance offers both road and off-road. Road and trail running events and an open water swim round out the sporting side of the weekend.
“Wildflower represents the soul of triathlon, the feeling, environment, and community that best represents the sport. I’m so excited to come back to this race and reconnect with the people involved, and the course itself,” said Jesse Thomas on the Wildflower Experience website. Thomas is a professional triathlete and six-time defending Wildflower Long Course Champion.
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More than just miles
The festivities don’t stop with racing. Music, a wellness spa, beer garden, wine tasting, marketplace, kayaking, onsite camping and race clinics put on by the pros are part of the weekender bash along the banks of California’s Lake San Antonia.
An extensive expo with three venues offers training gear, clinics, movies under the stars and cozy campfires.
Organizers are expecting around 4,000 athletes with a total of 15,000 attendees including spectators.
Will the legend live on?
It remains to be seen if the number of participants will ever return to 7,500 athletes and 30,000 spectators. The original long course was part of a wildflower festival back in 1983 when it all began.
Lake levels dropped in 2014 forcing organizers to modify the course and restrict attendance. The lake was later officially closed due to low water levels causing cancellations in 2017 and 2019. Then Covid hit.
The grassroots origins and vibe of the event stands out as a unique triathlon experience. The fun factor and nostalgia could swiftly reposition the race as a legend once again.