Race Preview: 2026 Cal Tri La Crema

The excitement is building for the upcoming Cal Tri La Crema race taking place this Sunday, June 28, 2026. Set against the scenic backdrop of Sonoma County’s wine country, this highly anticipated race promises to deliver a premium yet welcoming environment for athletes of all skill levels, featuring La Crema (owned by Kendall-Jackson) as the proud race title sponsor. Special thanks to Optimism for being the Cal Tri Events Series Sponsor.

This weekend also marks the fourth year that the series visits Sonoma County. Here is what you need to know ahead of race day:

Kickoff & Athlete Demographics

The multisport weekend officially begins with preparation programming designed to get athletes ready for race day:

Friday Skills Camp: 65 athletes are registered to take their triathlon game to another level at Johnson’s Beach starting at 7:30 AM.
Friday Evening Vibe: Athletes and guests can unwind at The Cellar Door event hosted at the La Crema Estate from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring wine-based cocktails, featured pours, a live DJ, and food bites available for purchase.
Saturday Swim & Transition Clinic: Another 169 eager athletes are registered to fine-tune their open water technique and transitions at Johnson’s Beach at 7:30 AM ahead of race day.

This race highlights incredible inclusivity and community spirit, bringing together a diverse field of competitors:

Gender Balance: The registration field strikes a fantastic balance, consisting of 52% Male and 48% Female athletes.
Age Range: Competitors spanning generations will be on the course, with the youngest athlete at 18 years old and the most mature at 87.
Newcomers: A healthy 41% of participants are first-timers. Out of 791 polled athletes, 323 responded “Yes” when asked if this is their first multisport race.
Geographic Diversity: Total registrations have reached 791. While California is well represented, there are athletes from 18 states from across the United States, including Nevada, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and New York, as well as international representation from Switzerland.

The Course: A Premium Point-to-Point Experience

Cal Tri La Crema features a gorgeous point-to-point configuration that showcases the area’s stunning landscape across 7 distinct events (Sprint and Olympic options for Triathlon, SwimBike, and Swim-only, plus the standalone 5K):

Swim: A refreshing swim in the Russian River, starting at the iconic Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. Swim gear bags will be transported and made available for pickup at the finish line starting at 10:00 AM.
Bike: A scenic ride along River Road, guiding athletes through beautiful backcountry wine country terrain.
Run: A rewarding finish winding through the rolling vineyards, concluding directly at the majestic La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard.

Note: Athletes aged 21 and older can look forward to a complimentary wine pour to celebrate at the finish line!

Special Thanks

An event of this scale is not possible without the support of public-private partnerships and local community groups. A special thanks goes out to the organizations keeping our athletes safe and making this race weekend a reality:

Good luck to all the athletes, from the seasoned veterans to the 41% embarking on their very first multisport journey! Enjoy the journey from the river to the vines at Cal Tri La Crema!