Oro Valley Triathlon and Duathlon Festival p/b Explore Oro Valley

Welcome to the Oro Valley Triathlon and Duathlon Festival, an On Your Left Fitness event presented by the Town of Oro Valley~Explore Oro Valley.

Event Distances Found HERE

The Swim

The swim takes place at the BEAUTIFUL Oro Valley Aquatics Center at the base of the Catalina Mountains. The pool will be set to long course and you will serpentine swim. 

The Bike

The entire bike course is coned off from traffic and includes one dedicated car lane and bike lane for participants.  Be prepared for some fast downhills and a couple short uphills.  

The Run

The run is flat and fast (Duathlon participants will do one loop before the bike and two loops after the bike)

PLEASE NOTE: We do not offer refunds for any reason. However, you can defer your entry up to one year. (For example: if you purchase an entry for 2026, you can defer that entry to 2027.) It is a sliding scale deferral. Please review our Refund/Deferral/Transfer Policy BEFORE you register. 

Shirts available while they last. You are guaranteed your size, if you registered by February 8, 2026.

Accommodations

Your support is crucial in keeping our event sustainable. We kindly request that you stay at one of the Town of Oro Valley hotels or AirBnB's to help us control costs and ensure future amazing races for everyone. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

We have partnered with Westward Look Resort to offer you a special deal! For just $193.58 (room, tax and fees) you can stay at this spectacular resort at the base of the Catalina Mountains. Westward Look Resort is a short 4 miles from the race venue. Use this LINK to reserve your room today! (Offer expires February 15, 2026). 

Finish Line/Transition Area MAP

Intermediate Triathlon Swim MAP

• Intermediate Swimmers ~ You enter the pool and swim down the first lane only, then you go under the lane line and begin your serpentine swim. You can pass when swimming NORTH (the direction you entered the pool). If you are swimming south (towards the diving boards), tap the swimmers foot in front of you and they should pull over at the wall. They do not have to stop in the lane.

Full Sprint Triathlon Swim MAP

• Sprint Swimmers ~ you can pass in either direction, as you only swim one direction per lane. However, we do as you to signal to the swimmer in front of you that you want to pass by tapping that swimmer's foot. 

Bike Course 

Run Course (Duathletes, please note - your FIRST run will start just north of Transition near the back parking lot. ONE LOOP on the first run; TWO LOOPS on the second run.) 

 

Please let your family and friends know that the transition area is for ATHLETES ONLY!

Your transition area is NOT a place to set up a "mini picnic" with a full-size beach towel. There should be 5-6 bikes on a race. If your equipment doesn't fit on a kitchen-sized towel, you don't need it. See the photograph below for a proper transition area setup. 

Helmets and Chinstraps: Helmets must be worn and securely fastened at all times while in possession of your bike. This means from the time you remove your bike from the rack at the start of the bike leg, until after you have placed your bike on the rack at the finish of the bike leg. 

Unauthorized Assistance: No assistance other than that offered by race staff (including volunteers), medical officials and active participants may be used. A participant shall not physically assist the forward progress of another participant on any part of the course. 

Non-Draft Legal Bike Position Rules: Athletes must ride right and only move left to complete a legal pass and must not block athletes attempting a legal pass. Athletes must not pass on the right. Drafting is not allowed. An athlete should not attempt to complete a pass unless the athlete is highly confident in their ability to complete the pass in the allotted amount of time. Once an athlete enters the draft zone of another cyclist there is only one exit and that is out the front. 

Entire Course: Athletes must complete the race course in its entirety and as prescribed including in segment order. 

Headphones and Communication devices: Participants may carry a phone (such as, mounted on bike handlebars or in an arm band), but may not use communication devices of any type, including but not limited to cell phones, smart watches, and two-way radios, in any distractive manner during the competition. A “distractive manner” includes but is not limited to making or receiving phone calls, sending or receiving text messages, playing music, using social media, taking photographs or using in a one- or two- way radio communication. Using any communication device in this manner during the competition may result in disqualification. 

Glass Containers: Glass containers are prohibited. Bringing a glass container into transition may result in disqualification. 

Race numbers: All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be altered in any way that prevents clear identification. 

Race number Transferring: Do not transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing. The penalty for doing so is Disqualification and one year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission. 

EFFECTIVE 2024: You, or a family member, or a friend can pick up your packet. No ID or USAT membership card required.  

Packet Pickup will be held on TWO days:  

1) THURSDAY, March 12 at Guru Bikes (2634 N. First Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719) from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Please do not arrive before 3:00 p.m., as we will be busy setting up.)

3) FRIDAY, March 13, at the race venue from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the parking lot near transition.

YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR PACKET ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. ONLY ATHLETES COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE GREATER TUCSON AREA CAN PICK UP ON RACE MORNING. 

 

Parking can be found in the WEST parking lot of the aquatic center (off of Calle Concordia), as well as at Canyon del Oro High School (just west of the aquatic center). These are your best options. 

If those parking lots are full, you can find additional parking BEHIND the aquatic center off of Egleston Dr. (take Oracle Rd to Linda Vista to Egleston Dr).

ONLY PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED A VIP PARKING PASS CAN PARK IN THE PARKING LOT NEAR TRANSITION.

 

 

Transition opens at 0530 and is for Athletes Only!

Transition Closes at 0645 for ALL Divisions.

Once the race starts, no one can return to (enter) transition unless racing.

This rule is for everyone's safety.

You will not be allowed in transition without a timing chip You MUST have your bib number to collect your timing chip. NO BIB NUMBER, NO TIMING CHIP, NO RACING.

 

Racers' Meeting 

We will spare you the traditional pre-race video and instead send you a DETAILED pre-race email. PLEASE read this email. The race will begin promptly at 0700 with the Intermediate Tri in the pool at 0700;  and the Duathlon just NORTH of Transition (look for the Run Out flag) at 0715. We estimate the first Sprint swimmer in the water about 0745.

Event Schedule 

Transition Opens at 0530 and closes at 0645. Before entering transition, you need to collect your timing chip. You will be required to show your TIMING CHIP to get into transition. No timing chip, no entry, no exceptions. Staff will be managing access to and from transition. ONLY ATHLETES CAN BE IN THE TRANSITION AREA.

Timing Chips available 0500-0630. Please have your bib number to collect your timing chip. This is to ensure you receive the correct timing chip. NO BIB NUMBER, NO CHIP, NO RACING. 

The order of the event:

1. Intermediate Tri in Olympic pool ~ 0700
2. Sprint Duathlon ~ 0715 (approximately)
3. Sprint Tri in Olympic pool ~ 0745 (approximately)

Please stay away from all timing mats once the race starts until you are racing. 

UPDATE - Duathletes, please exit transition by 0645 and wait just outside Transition near the Run Out flag to start your first leg.

AWARDS CEREMONY

Overall Awards will be given to the top 3 women and men in the intermediate and Sprint triathlon.

First Place Overall Male and Female in the Duathlon and Aquabike.  

We also have 1st Place Relay Teams (All Male, All Female and Co-Ed). 

The Intermediate Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, and Duathlon Age Groups awards will be 3 deep as follows: 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.

REMEMBER - YOUR RACE AGE IS HOW OLD YOU WILL BE ON DECEMBER 31, 2026

At the finish line, you will receive your finisher medal, water, bananas, oranges and a Sonoran hotdog (vegan hotdogs and GF buns will be available).

If you are unable to collect your award at the race, they will be available for pick up at Guru Bikes beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2026. WE WILL NOT MAIL ANY AWARDS. If you believe on race day that you will receive an award, please stay at the race or make arrangements for someone locally to pick up your award. 

On Your Left Timing is the official timer. Results will be streaming LIVE on our website at www.ovtri.com. No timing chip, no results.

This is a USAT Sanctioned event. All results for USAT members will be submitted to USAT for ranking. As a USAT Sanctioned event, electronic devices (MP3, iPod, cell phones, etc.) are NOT ALLOWED on the course AT ANYTIME! Of course, this does not include Garmin, Polar, and/or Timex timing devices. If you are seen using anything other than these approved devices, you will be disqualified.

Awards Categories 

Age group categories are in 5-year increments (except for the 18-19) 20-24, 25-29, etc. as high as needed for both women and men. Awards will be presented 3 deep in each age category, except for the duathlon.  Overall awards will be given to the top 3 women and men in the intermediate and sprint divisions. First Place men and women in the Duathlon and Aquabike, and First Place Relay team awards will also be given. 

Refunds

On Your Left Fitness does not offer refunds under any circumstances. This policy will be strictly adhered to. Our "no refund policy" applies to cancellations due to weather conditions, as well as changes in the event after registration.  Any changes that are made to the event are made for the safety of the athletes, and were due to situations that arose after the event was planned. We will do everything we can to keep the course as advertised, but also in the spirit of keeping the course safe and fun for everyone. The Oro Valley Triathlon and Duathlon Festival will be held rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, natural disaster, etc. that could endanger participants or volunteers, the event may be modified, shortened, postponed, or canceled. If for any reason the event is canceled, including but not limited to COVID-19, you will have a choice of the following options presented here. If for any reason, the OV Tri/Du Festival is required to reduce the number of participants in order to proceed with the event, the field limit will be adjusted utilizing the registration date and time stamp, and priority given on a first-registered-first-served basis. The remaining participants will be waitlisted and further given the options presented here.  

Defer Policy

Defer Policy - We do allow you defer your entry to the next year only. For example: A 2026 entry can be deferred to 2027, but not 2028.  Due to the increase in deferred entries over the last few years, we now have a "sliding scale" deferment process:

90+ Days out - FULL Entry Fee deferred to the next year

89 Days to 60 Days Out - 75% of Entry Fee deferred to the next year

59 Days to 30 Days out - 50% of Entry Fee deferred to the next year

NO DEFERRAL OPTION IF LESS THAN 30 DAYS FROM THE EVENT DATE

 

Transfer Policy

NO TRANSFERS WILL BE PROCESSED AFTER FEBRUARY 14, 2026, UNLESS YOU ARE A RELAY TEAM MEMBER.

You have the option to transfer your entry to another participant. HOWEVER, you must notify the race of the transfer. You CANNOT give away your bib. Anyone caught giving away an entry without coordinating with OYL will be banned from future OYL races. This is an insurance requirement/restrictions. All participants MUST be registered and agree to the event waiver. No exceptions.

USAT SANCTIONED EVENTS: Participants may transfer their entry to another person by contacting OYL. Any new/transfer participant will be required to pay the USAT 1-Day licensing fee, if not already a USAT member. 

  ~ RELAY TEAMS: You may transfer a single participant within the team.  Any new/transfer participant will be required to pay the USAT 1-Day licensing fee, if not already a USAT member.  Relay Teams may NOT transfer its entry fee to an entirely new team. 

In order to process your deferral or transfer, please email julie@trioyl.com with your Full Name, Date of Birth, and Team Name (if applicable). 

Event Modifications/Cancellations

On Your Left Fitness, the race director and/or USAT officials reserve the right to cancel, modify or reschedule an event when weather conditions impact the safety of participants.  In the event a cancellation, modification or reschedule does occur, you knowingly accept when registering, either via an online registration platform or a paper registration form, that there will be NO REFUNDS due to the cancellation, modification or reschedule. 

First, THANK YOU for choosing the Oro Valley Triathlon and Duathlon Festival. We recognize that you have many event choices, and we sincerely appreciate you choosing our event. Please remember to THANK your volunteers! These events would not be possible without the support of your community volunteers. 

March 14, 2026, Schedule:

Transition Opens at 0530 (DO NOT TRY TO ENTER TRANSITION BEFORE 0530), AS YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN) and closes at 0645.  ONLY ATHLETES CAN BE IN THE TRANSITION AREA.

Timing Chips available 0500-0630. You will need your bib number to collect your timing chip. This is to ensure you receive the correct timing chip. NO BIB, NO CHIP, NO RACING. 

We will prepare an online pre-race meeting and send a link for you to review. (No race-day meeting)

The event will start with the INTERMEDIATE distance in the Olympic pool (long course) at 0700. Once all Intermediate have cleared the pool, we will begin the Sprint distance (approximately 0745).

Participants swimming in the Olympic Pool will enter pool from the SOUTH end. Athletes waiting to start and spectators are welcome to wait inside the aquatic center on the bleachers and at the NORTH end of the pool. HOWEVER, if you are wearing a timing chip you MUST stay away from all timing mats or risk a false start and therefore negate your timing results. 

Duathletes, please exit transition by 0645 and wait near the Run Out flag to start your first leg at approximately 0715.

The order of the event:

1. 0700 ~ Intermediate Tri in Olympic Pool
2. Approximately 0715 ~ Sprint Duathlon will start 
3. Approximately 0745 ~ Sprint Tri in Olympic Pool
4. 0930 ~ TRANSITION REOPENS FOR BIKE COLLECTION ~ No one can collect their bike out of transition until 0930, and you must have your bib number with you to do so. Please enter at the Run Out opening and exit at the Bike Out opening. Staff will be checking that your bib number matches your bike number. 

The Awards Ceremony will take place near the finish line at approximately 10:00 a.m. We will NOT mail any awards. 

If you leave before the awards ceremony and you have won an award, it will be available for pick up at Guru Bikes beginning Tuesday, March 17. AGAIN, WE WILL NOT MAIL ANY AWARD. If you live out of town, please stay and collect your award. If you believe on race day that you will receive an award, please stay at the race or make arrangements for someone locally to pick up your award. 

On Your Left Timing is the official timer. You will be able to pick up your timing chip near transition between 0530 and 0630. Results will be streaming LIVE on our website at www.ovtri.com .

This is a USAT Sanctioned event. All results for USAT members will be submitted to USAT for ranking. As a USAT Sanctioned event, electronic devices (MP3, iPod, cell phones, etc.) are NOT ALLOWED on the course AT ANYTIME! Of course, this does not include Garmin, Polar, and/or Timex timing devices. If you are seen using anything other than these approved devices, you will be disqualified.

The Course:

Please review the Course Maps on the event website and know your course. While we will have volunteers on the course, it is your responsibility to know your course.

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) will be managing traffic along Calle Concordia, La Canada, Lambert and Oracle. YOU MUST OBEY ALL OVPD INSTRUCTIONS. SAFETY is our main goal. There will be orange cones along the course. You MUST STAY TO THE RIGHT of the cones. USAT Officials will be watching the course. If you are seen outside (to the left) of any cone, you will be automatically disqualified. Again, this is a USAT sanctioned event. Drafting is not allowed. If you are not familiar with the USAT rules, please review them now at: www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook.aspx.  While the course is coned off from general traffic, it is still considered an open course. OVPD will be present to direct traffic at all major intersections/crossings. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR NUMBER ON YOUR BIKE.

NO PASSING/SLOW SPEED ZONE

When you start your 2nd and/or 3rd loop on the bike course, you MUST reduce your speed on Calle Concordia until you have passed the parking lot entrance back to transition. This is also a no-passing zone. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow athletes. 

In addition, you must wear a helmet that is approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. THE HELMET CHIN STRAP MUST BE FASTENED BEFORE YOU MOUNT THE BIKE, AT ALL TIMES ON THE BIKE COURSE, AND MUST REMAIN FASTENED UNTIL YOU RACK YOUR BIKE IN TRANSITION. ANY VIOLATION OF THIS RULE IS AN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION.

Transitions (“T”)

T1 and T2 are in the same area, in the parking lot just EAST of the Pool.  DO NOT get on your bike until out of the transition area and at the Mount Line. The mount and dismount line will be clearly marked and volunteers will be present to guide you. You must DISMOUNT at the dismount line entering back into the parking lot, which, again, will be clearly marked and marshaled by volunteers.

Volunteers will be in transition to provide body marking with markers. However, to save time, once you have your bib number from packet pickup, you are free to mark yourself, or have a friend or family member do it for you. Your bib number should be on both arms and the LEFT calf. Your age (on December 31) should be on the right calf.

Pre-Race Meeting, Finish Line and Awards:

We are going to spare you the traditional pre-race meeting video and will send you a DETAILED instructional email race week. PLEASE read this email. The race will begin promptly at 0700 with the Intermediate Tri in the Olympic Pool. 

Overall Awards will be given to the top 3 women and men in the intermediate and Sprint triathlon.

First Place Overall Male and Female in the Duathlon and Aquabike.

We also have 1st Place Relay Teams (All Male, All Female and Co-Ed). 

The Intermediate Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, and Duathlon Age Groups awards will be 3 deep as follows: 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.

At the finish line, you will receive your finisher medal, water, bananas, and Sonoran hot dogs. 

Parking and Spectators

Parking will be to the west of the Aquatics Center at in the Aquatic Center’s parking lot, at Canyon Del Oro High School just west of the Aquatic Center, and behind James D. Kreigh Park off Egleston.  Please review the Parking Map for additional details. VIP Parking (for purchase) will be in the same parking lot as the transition. 

The Oro Valley Aquatics Center has multiple bleachers for friends and family. We strongly encourage spectators to come watch. We ask that you arrive before 6:00 a.m. so they do not disrupt the flow of the race. SPECTATORS ARE WELCOME INSIDE POOL, IN THE PARK, AND ALONG THE BIKE/RUN COURSES. PLEASE OBEY ANY AND ALL TRAFFIC LAWS WHEN SPECTATING. 

Please remember to have FUN! Many of the athletes are beginners, please be prepared to help your fellow racer with any questions he/she may have.

 

Sprint Aquabike: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Triathlon: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Triathlon-Athena: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Triathlon-Clydesdale: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Triathlon Relay: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Duathlon: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Sprint Duathlon Relay: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Intermediate Triathlon: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Intermediate Triathlon Relay: Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Beginner (Non-competitve) Triathlon: Short Sleeve T-Shirt