2026 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes - 11.1.26

2026 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes - 11.1.26. Started in 1978 as the Human Race Triathlon, Cal Tri Newport Dunes is the longest running triathlon in the world operating from the same location. Also started in 1978 was the Ironman World Championship Triathlon Oahu but it moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1981. This serves as the Cal Tri Events National Championship Race with registration in the 1500-2000 range.

12 EVENT OPTIONS. 6 Olympic distance events (Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 1640 Yard Swim & 10K Run) and 6 Sprint distance events (Triathlon,  RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400 yard Swim & 5K Run). Triathlon = swim + bike + run. Typically, the swim and run distances are standard but the bike distance varies from race to race. Check out the course maps for more detailed information.

TO DO. Disneyland Park & California Adventure Park. Balboa Island Ferry. Newport Beach.

AIRPORT. John Wayne (SNA)

AIR TEMPERATURE (AVG). 60 F / 73 F

WATER TEMPERATURE (AVG). 65 F. Wetsuit legal. Use the 20% CALTRI2025 discount code at blueseventy. Note: Fusion wetsuits not eligible for discount.

Sprint Swim (400 yards)
Sprint Bike (8.2 miles)
Sprint Run (3.1 miles)

Olympic Swim (1640 yards)
Olympic Bike (24.4 miles)
Olympic Run (6.1 miles)

Staging Area

Parking Map

Athletes are responsible to study and know the course.  The race has 12 separate events and 2 different starting points.  Every event that includes a swim discipline starts at the beach.  The 5K/10K and RunBikeRun events start at the race finish line.  We highly recommend that athletes familiarize themselves with the bike and run course by driving or riding it prior to the race if possible.

Go Digital.  Every Ride and Route on Ride with GPS can be downloaded as a TCX Course, TCX History, FIT Course, GPX Track, CSV, or KML file.  TCX Course and FIT Course files contain all the turn-by-turn navigation.  Instructions to do that are HERE. The alternative is to go old school and tape a copy of the turn by turn cue sheets on their bike.  There are police at major intersections and volunteer course marshals at other key locations as well as route arrows markings on the road.  The police are primarily there to provide athletes the right of way at intersections and not provide course instructions.  Athletes are responsible to study and know the course

Sprint Bike Cue Sheet
0.0 mi - Start on Back Bay Dr
0.7 mi - Continue onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway
3.1 mi - Turn right onto Eastbluff Dr
3.8 mi - Make a U-Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Vista Del Oro
4.8 mi - Make a U-Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Jamboree Rd
5.0 mi - Turn right onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway
8.1 m - Turn right into Newport Dunes Marina

Sprint Run Cue Sheet
0.0 mi - Start on Newport Dunes Bridge
0.2 mi - Continue onto N Bayside Dr
0.4 mi - Turn left onto the path
1.0 mi - Turn right onto the path
1.2 mi - Turn left
1.3 mi - Make a U-turn before the road
1.5 mi - Sharp left onto the path
2.1 mi - Turn right onto N Bayside Dr
2.4 mi - Turn right onto the path in front of the beach
3.0 mi - Turn right into the finishing shoot

Olympic Bike Cue Sheet
0.0 mi - Start on Back Bay Dr
0.7 mi - Continue onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway
3.1 mi - Turn right onto Eastbluff Dr
3.8 mi - Make a U Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Vista Del Oro
4.8 mi - Make a U-Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Jamboree Rd
5.1 mi - Turn right onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway/Back Bay Dr
8.1 mi - Make a U Turn in front of Newport Dunes Marina
8.8 mi - Continue onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway
11.2 mi - Turn right onto Eastbluff Dr
11.9 mi - Make a U Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Vista Del Oro
12.9 mi - Make a U-Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Jamboree Rd
13.2 mi - Turn right onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway/Back Bay Dr
16.3 mi - Make a U Turn in front of Newport Dunes Marina
17.0 mi - Continue onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway
19.4 mi - Turn right onto Eastbluff Dr
20.1 mi - Make a U Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Vista Del Oro
21.1 mi - Make a U-Turn on Eastbluff Dr and Jamboree Rd
21.3 mi - Turn right onto Mountains to the Sea Trail and Bikeway/Back Bay Dr
24.4 m - Turn right into Newport Dunes Marina


Olympic Run Cue Sheet

0.0 mi - Start on Newport Dunes Bridge
0.2 mi - Continue onto N Bayside Dr
0.4 mi - Turn left onto the path
1.0 mi - Turn right onto the path
1.2 mi - Turn left
1.3 mi - Make a U-turn before the road
1.5 mi - Sharp left onto the path
2.1 mi - Turn right onto N Bayside Dr
2.4 mi - Turn right onto the path in front of the beach
3.1 mi - Turn left onto Newport Dunes Bridge
3.2 mi - Continue onto N Bayside Dr
3.5 mi - Turn left onto the path
4.1 mi - Sharp right
4.2 mi - Turn left
4.3 mi - Make a U-turn before the road
4.4 mi - Turn right
4.5 mi - Sharp left onto the path
5.1 mi - Turn right onto N Bayside Drive
5.4 mi - Turn right onto the path in front of the beach
6.0 mi - Go into the finishing shoot

SATURDAY SCHEDULE
7:30 AM - Athletica Swim & Coaching Clinic (RSVP Required)
9:00 AM - Captain's Meeting + Saturday Volunteer
11:00 AM - Packet Pick Up & Bike Drop-Off Opens (Suggested But Not Mandatory) @ Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
Note: You will need a Photo ID to pick up your packet.
4:00 PM - Adult Packet Pick Up & Bike Drop-Off Closes
(Security in place Saturday through Sunday morning to secure bikes)

SUNDAY SCHEDULE
5:00 AM - Staff & Volunteers Arrive
6:00 AM - Sunday Adult Athlete Packet Pickup & Transition Area Opens
6:40 AM - Sunday Adult Athlete Packet Pickup Closes
6:45 AM - Transition Area Closes & Head To Start - Sprint Events
6:50 AM - Swim Warm-Up - Sprint Events
7:00 AM - Start - Sprint Events
7:05 AM - Transition Area Closes & Head To Start - Olympic Events
7:10 AM - Swim Warm-Up - Olympic Events
7:20 AM - Swim Cut Off Time - Sprint Athletes
7:20 AM - Start - Olympic Events
8:10 AM - Swim Cut Off Time - Olympic Athletes
8:30 AM - Sprint Awards - Overall Top 3 M/F/NB
10:00 AM - Bike Cut Off Time - All Athletes
10:20 AM - Olympic Awards - Overall Top 3 M/F/NB
12:00 PM - Finish - All Athletes
 
Events With A Swim Discipline Begin At Swim Start
Run & RunBikeRun Events Begin At Cal Tri Events Finish Arch
Only Athletes With Wristbands Are Allowed In Transition Area
Only Bikes With Stickers On Top Tube Are Allowed In Transition Area