The 2026 Cal Tri Austin race has come and gone, and the energy this year was unlike anything we’ve seen at this event before. Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park was buzzing from the moment athletes arrived, with spectators lining the course, cowbells ringing, and the kind of collective excitement that only builds when a community shows up in force.
This was the largest Cal Tri Austin to date, with over 500 athletes taking on the challenge. That milestone is a testament to the growing momentum behind this event and the athletes who keep coming back and bringing their people with them.
Just like every Cal Tri Events race, Austin offered something for everyone. Athletes competed across multiple distances and formats, including Olympic, Sprint, and Youth distances spanning Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, and standalone swim and run events because endurance sport should have a place for every athlete, regardless of where they are in their journey.
Race Day Conditions
Mother Nature brought her A-game. Skies were clear and sunny all morning, with temperatures sitting comfortably in the 60s at race start. The heat held off until after the final athletes crossed the finish line, meaning the day played out nearly perfectly from start to finish.
Water temperature at Walter E. Long Lake came in at 68°F so warm enough to feel welcoming, but still crisp enough to keep the legs lively. The lake showed just a hint of motion on the surface, but nothing that slowed athletes down. The smiles coming out of the water said it all.
Course Highlights
Athletes waded into the lake for a beach walk-in start before settling into their rhythm and getting after it. The swim set the tone for a day that was going to demand everything you had.
The bike course is a clockwise loop that traces the perimeter of Walter E. Long Lake. The 11.5 miles of rolling Texas Hill Country-style terrain with 670 feet of climbing packed into every lap. Sprint athletes took on one loop while Olympic athletes tackled two, stacking nearly 1,340 feet of climbing on the bike alone.
The run brought athletes back into Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park for an out-and-back course that, on paper, looked manageable. In reality, after the bike has already taken its toll, the mid-run climb hits very differently. Olympic athletes tackled the course twice, and those who skipped their hill work felt it by the turnaround. Still, the park offered a beautiful backdrop, and the energy at the finish line ensured no one crossed quietly.
By the Numbers
- 38% female / 62.6% male / .4% Non-Binary
- 43% first-time racers
- Youngest athlete: 8 years old
- Oldest athlete: 78 years old
Top Finishers
Olympic Triathlon
Female
Male
Sprint Triathlon
Female
Male
Full race results can be found at https://results.raceroster.com/v3/events/xky4quvwbxqmsz4p
Race Week Activities
The days leading up to race day were anything but quiet. The skills camp gave athletes a chance to dial in their technique and shake off the rust before the pressure of race morning set in.
Saturday’s pre-race clinic brought the community together one last time working on swim skills, walking through transitions, and getting those last-minute questions answered. There’s something about that pre-race gathering that shifts the energy from nervous to ready, and this year was no exception.
A Big Thank You
A race this size doesn’t happen without a lot of people giving a lot of themselves. We’re incredibly grateful to Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park for providing such a spectacular venue, and to TacoWey for keeping athletes and spectators fueled and smiling at the finish line. A huge thank you as well to local law enforcement for keeping the course safe, the lifeguards who watched over every swimmer, and the army of volunteers who showed up early, stayed late, and made the whole day run seamlessly.
To every single person who gave their time and energy to make this race happen, thank you. You are the backbone of this event.
Results and Photos
Race results and photos are available:
Race Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v3/events/xky4quvwbxqmsz4p
Race Photos: https://flickr.com/photos/caltrievents/albums/72177720332819736
About Cal Tri Events
Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a safe, affordable, and accessible mission, producing races nationally in all four U.S. time zones. The organization is committed to promoting health, fitness, and wellness in the communities it serves.