Historically obtaining timely and accurate market sizing data for the U.S. triathlon space is challenging. The largest subset of information resides in the USA Triathlon database, which currently has race results from 2010 to 2024. Athlinks, which is owned by Lifetime, has a broader range of data that includes both USAT and non-USAT data. The Athlinks data, while extensive and very useful, is incomplete as it is greatly dependent on what has been submitted or collected. The scope of this analysis is data from races who have used USA Triathlon insurance, but that is only part of the overall market. In the second half of 2025, we will produce available data for the rest of the market including the Spudman Triathlon, which requires a lottery to fill its 2400 spots, and the Houston Kids Triathlon which had 1500+ participants in 2024. The Cal Tri Events series- which we produce- is another example.

Without the right information, the entire ecosystem that supports multisports, including race directors, registration companies, timing companies and brands are limited in having a consistent knowledge base. For example, during an October 2024 Breakfast with Bob interview with Ironman CEO Scott DeRue, the topic of US participation was discussed. Speaking to numbers shared by USAT, DeRue stated that, “prior to the pandemic there were about 3,000 triathlons of all different flavors, shapes and sizes in the U.S. Today there are 3,000.” While this is how it was defined by USAT, if you look at the number of overall events, there were actually 1,100 (2019) and 996 (2024). Additionally, during that period, a 13% decline of 46,660 finishers between 2019 and 2024 also took place. This shows that even how events and races are defined can cause potential debates in the industry. The whole sport benefits when key stakeholders in the industry are speaking the same language and have access to accurate information.

In 2019 the New York Times estimated that triathlon was down 25% from its peak in Triathlons Fight Decline and Seek Ways to Attract the Young. In response- in what was probably a missed opportunity to quantify the U.S. market size for their readers- Triathlete Magazine’s Kelly O’Mara penned The Truth About Triathlon Participation in the United States, concluding, “the message got lost in a headline and opener of doom and gloom, and some facts that lacked nuance and proper sourcing. Yes, participation is down from its peak, but is not in free fall; we’ve been seeing signs of a leveling out and recent gains that signal a more positive future than that story credited.” They took USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris at face value when he indicated that triathlon participation was starting to increase. “We’re now seeing that trend change.” In fact the NY Times’ 25 percent decline estimate was conservative as it was actually 38%. In an increasingly data driven world, there is demand for quantitative research and analysis.

Victoria Brumfield, USA Triathlon CEO shared “The stability and growth of events is core to the health of the multisport ecosystem and is the primary focus of our organization.  There have been constrictions in the sport since the early 2010’s, and yet the sport is still strong with many areas of growth including new athletes coming into the sport, increased growth from younger age groups, and race directors adding more formats and races to their weekend events, creating new opportunities for participation. We are optimistic for the future of the sport.” We want to thank Victoria and Krista Prescott, USA Triathlon Chief Marketing and Growth Officer for participating in a great discussion about the state of the sport and sharing their vision for the future.

As a reminder, the scope of this analysis is exclusively USA Triathlon data. All data was independently gathered from public sources – this was not provided by USA Triathlon or directly from USA Triathlon insured events. Special thanks to Ben McClure, a recent Washington and Lee University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Physics and Economics, who conducted the data collection and analysis behind the project. This builds on the fine work by Nathan Danielson in 2019-2020.

- 46% Finisher Decline From 2011 to 2024: 564K (2011) vs 302K (2024). The number of finishes decreased by 46% from their peak of 564K in 2011 to 302K in 2024. When considering the 349K finishers in 2019, 82% of the decline was pre-pandemic, confirming that an overwhelming majority of the decline was prior to 2020. On a brighter note, the most recent year over year data-  2023-2024-  is relatively flat at about 300K finishes. Flat is the new up.

“The most positive thing that can be taken from the data is the relatively flat overall participation shown the past two years, suggesting the possibility of a trough. Like a plane that’s been in a nosedive for ten years, let’s hope that we’ve finally bottomed out.” remarked Sean Ryan. Ryan has an MBA in Market Research from Northwestern University and is the race director of the Door County Triathlon, which had 1811 finishes in 2024 and has mostly withstood the significant declines felt throughout the industry.

- 40% Decline In Races From 2012 to 2024: 1667 (2012) vs 996 (2024). The number of USA Triathlon insured races shrank from 1667 at the 2012 peak to 996 in 2024, a 40% decline. USAT Triathlon currently describes the 996 races as 3500 events and races by totalling the number of races and events held at those races. It is the equivalent of a Major League Baseball team’s 162 game season being described as 1620 innings and games (162 games + 1458 innings). In 2024 the average number of events, e.g.  triathlon, runbikerun, swimbike, at a race was 2.5 per race compared with 1.7 events per race in 2012. There were more choices, but that didn’t significantly change the trajectory of the overall finisher numbers.

- 51.5% Finisher Decline In Fast Course or Short Course From 2011 to 2024: 474K (2011) vs 230K (2024). While still representing 76% of all finishes, the fast course sprint and olympic distances, the welcome mat into the sport, has experienced the largest decline. From the peak in 2011, there are 40% less fast course races and average attendance has shrunk from 301 to 246 (2024).

- 26% Finisher Decline in Long Course (70.3-Mile Distance) from 2014 to 2024: 75K (2014) vs 55.6K (2024). From the peak in 2014, there has been a 26% decline in participation at the 70.3-mile distance. During the same period of time, Ironman has increased its market share from 56% (2014) to 86% (2024). When it comes to the 70.3-mile distance, athletes overwhelmingly chose Ironman with an average of 1713 finishes per race versus 105 finishes at a non-Ironman race. Ironman 70.3 Muncie was Ironman’s weakest performer at 800 finishers. Even still, Muncie hosts approximately 250-300 more athletes than T100 Las Vegas & Door County Half, the most popular non-Ironman races at the long course distance. Ironman introduced the 70.3-mile distance in 2006 and it now outpaces the 140.6-mile distance by 3x. 

–  38% Finisher Decline In Ultra or 140.6-Mile Distance from 2014 to 2024: 26K (2014) vs 16K (2024). 99% of finishes at this distance are at nine remaining Ironman events; California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas, Lake Placid, Maryland, Chattanooga and Florida. From the peak in 2024, there has been a 38% decline in participation at the 140.6-mile distance. It is a combination of less races and less participation at those races. It has been suggested that Ironman’s 70.3-mile business has impacted their 140.6-mile business, but there is no publicly available information to confirm that premise.

Notes About the Data. In 2010, approximately 30K fast course finishes were identified as long course or 70.3-mile finishes. We included the data as not to impact the overall numbers but wanted to identify that as an issue. In addition, there are a small number of international races that have been included in the U.S. data.

Cal Tri Events is pleased to announce our 2024 race season awards. Many people and organizations made 2024 a huge success. We want to thank everyone who supported our athletes as we bring safe, affordable and accessible to more communities. The 2025 calendar starts with 2025 Athletica Cal Tri Austin - 3.30.25. Our 2024 awardees are: 

• Top Race - Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes
  • Started in 1978 as the Human Race Triathlon, Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes is the longest running triathlon in the world operating from the same location. A record 2,140 athletes registered for the race with KTLA providing 5 hours of remote video and the LA Times doing both pre race and race day coverage. The Cal Tri Events Top Race Award goes to The City of Newport Beach, California Fish & Wildlife, The Newport Dunes and Title Sponsor, Optimism.
• Top Venue - Cal Tri Lake Perris
  • The Cal Tri Lake Perris race course and a plethora of overnight camping facilities are enclosed within the Lake Perris State Recreational Area, located just minutes from restaurants, shopping and entertainment. A SoCal multisport playground, Lake Perris provides excellent police, lifeguard and operational race support year after year. The Cal Tri Events Top Venue Award goes to Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
• Top Team/Club - Fort Worth Tri Club
  • Fort Worth Tri Club, the rare club with the capacity to provide a full complement of both athletes and volunteers to support a race, was instrumental in the success of Cal Tri Fort Worth. Led by Bob Kilinski, Fort Worth Tri Club is a tight- knit and welcoming organization that supports athletes at all levels and values participation over performance. The Cal Tri Events Top Team/Club Award goes to Fort Worth Tri Club.
• Top Charity Group - Windsor High School Cheer
  • Kendall Jackson Cal Tri Sonoma, a fast point to point race course, would not be possible without the enthusiastic support of Windsor High School Cheer. The WHS Cheer Team & their coaches were committed to every aspect of the race, including packet assembly, registration, course setup and teardown- not to mention athlete support at both Johnson’s Beach & WHS. For all their efforts, Cal Tri Events was pleased to present a $10,000 check in both 2023 and 2024. The Cal Tri Events Top Charity Group goes to Windsor High School Cheer.
• Top Race Captain - Rick Crump
  • Rick Crump, a former Division I runner at Virginia Tech and race director of Swim The Avenues and the Redondo Beach Triathlon, has materially upgraded the race production of Cal Tri Events west coast races. He and his wife Connie, parents of triplets- probably the best preparation for a multisport lifestyle- are always eager to share their expertise. The Cal Tri Events Top Race Captain goes to Rick Crump.
• Top Sponsor - Kendall Jackson
  • Triathlon returned to Sonoma County in 2023 with the launch of Kendall Jackson Cal Tri Sonoma. Besides being the title sponsor, Kendall Jackson looked for ways to contribute to our race series like providing coveted podium awards and hosting a wine pour after select races. In 2024, athletes were invited to the Kendall Jackson Estate post race for a courtesy wine pour. 2025 brings a significant upgrade: the La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard will be the site for the second transition area, run course, finish line and post- race celebration HQ. The Cal Tri Events Top Sponsor goes to Kendall Jackson.
• Hall Of Fame - Anthony Grey
  • We are pleased to announce that Anthony Grey is the founding member of the Cal Tri Events Hall of Fame. Anthony has been supporting California Triathlon and Cal Tri Events since 2013, serving in various capacities. He currently serves as Cal Tri Events Treasurer and Fundraising Lead. But his range of contributions have included leading swim clinics at Playa del Rey, fundraising at Taylor Swift concerts at SoFi and driving a support vehicle from Sonoma to Los Angeles. The first member of the Cal Tri Events Hall of Fame is Anthony Grey.
• Club 25 - None
  • Cal Tri Events is pleased to announce Club 25, the ultimate VIP race perk that awards free races for life after an athlete completes their twenty- fifth Cal Tri race. Additionally, Club 25 membership will include VIP racking and an all-access wristband allowing athletes to skip packet pick- up race morning.  Every Cal Tri Events race from 2015 to the present is eligible. We foresee that the founding member of Club 25 will be eligible in 2025.

Cal Tri Events opens an exciting new race season at 2025 Athletica Cal Tri Austin - 3.30.25. Athletes from 30 states and 5 countries, ages 7-75, will travel to “The Live Music Capital of the World” to compete in 19 separate events including; triathlon, runbikerun, swimbike, swimrun, swim and run at both the sprint and olympic distances. 45% of the participants will be first time multisport athletes and a large group of spectators will be on hand taking in all the action and cheering for their favorite athletes.

2025 highlights include:

• Athletica Title Sponsor. Athletica’s AI-Powered Coaching: Whether you’re taking your first steps into multisport or chasing a personal best, Athletica’s AI-driven coaching platform provides personalized, adaptive training plans designed for athletes of all levels. Cal Tri Events and Athletica together ensure that every athlete, from beginner to seasoned competitor, has the tools and confidence to succeed on race day.

• PinkStrong RunBikeRun (2.5 km run, 19 km bike, 2.5 km run). A special all-women’s event, courtesy of PinkStrong, has been added to the race in celebration of Women’s History Month. PinkStrong & Cal Tri Events encourage athletes to celebrate their journey and achievements, regardless of their finish times, and highlight participant milestones, from first-time finishes to standout performances. All revenue from the PinkStrong RunBikeRun will be donated to PinkStrong in support of their continuing mission. #SayYesToAdventure

• Saturday’s Athletica Free Swim & Coaching Clinic (90 minutes). Athletes receive instruction and practice the five focals of faster swimming followed by dryland instruction to get race ready. The session is free to registered athletes courtesy of Athletica.

About Cal Tri Events

Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest national fast-course triathlon series in the U.S. Their mission is to provide safe, affordable, and accessible triathlon experiences that make a difference in the communities they serve. The Cal Tri Events difference includes $85 all-in early bird pricing, free pre race swim clinics, free youth races (ages 7-17) and the best 15 words in triathlon; Free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race. Learn more at www.californiatriathlon.org.

About Athletica

Athletica is a leader in AI-powered coaching for endurance athletes. Its platform provides personalized, adaptive training plans based on decades of sports science research. By leveraging real-time data from wearables, Athletica helps athletes train smarter and reach their performance goals, offering the same level of coaching traditionally reserved for elite athletes. For more information, please visit Cal Tri Events or Athletica.

Media Inquiries:

• Cal Tri Events: PR Inquiries, info@californiatriathlon.org
• Athletica: Mark Bridges, CEO, mark@athletica.ai

Lexington, VA (January 14, 2025) – Cal Tri Events is pleased to announce Club 25, the ultimate VIP race perk that awards free races for life after an athlete completes their twenty- fifth Cal Tri race. Additionally, Club 25 membership will include VIP racking and an all-access wristband allowing athletes to skip packet pick- up race morning.  Every Cal Tri Events race from 2015 to the present is eligible.

“We foresee that the founding member of Club 25 will be Virginian Eric Fletcher, who has completed 21 races and is slated to compete in four Cal Tri races in 2025. If all goes to plan, Eric will earn Club 25 status at the finish line at 2025 Cal Tri Charlottesville - 8.31.25. Eric is followed closely by Californian Brigid Freyne, who has completed 19 races, including Cal Tri’s first-ever race, 2015 Cal Tri LA, formerly known as Trick or Tri. “We hope to award her Club 25 status within a year,” predicted Thom Richmond, Cal Tri Events CEO.

Upon learning of his Club 25 eligibility, Eric shared, “Cal Tri Events embodies the ideal of ‘Triathlon is for everyone’, bringing fast, fun, affordable, and safe racing to everyone by putting the racers first.  From free transfers and deferrals, free kids racing and a real focus on bringing new people to the sport, Cal Tri is a race series I am happy to support.“

About Cal Tri Events

Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest national fast-course triathlon series in the U.S. Their mission is to provide safe, affordable, and accessible triathlon experiences that make a difference in the communities they serve. The Cal Tri Events difference includes $85 all-in early bird pricing, free pre race swim clinics and free youth races.

Cal Tri Events is raising the bar in 2025 to include an industry leading Divine Intervention Refund Policy. This is on top of the best 15 words in triathlon; Free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race.

What if an “Act of God” forces cancellation of a race? We have you covered even against Divine Intervention! If a natural disaster, accident, or other incident outside of human control causes Cal Tri Events or a municipal authority to cancel a race in its entirety, we will automatically refund your registration fee in full.

If an athlete would rather participate in a future race, they will be given a three day window to transfer their registration to any future Cal Tri Events race before the automatic refund is processed. There is no charge for the transfer, even if the new race has a higher registration fee than the original one. Certain restrictions apply; see our full refund policy here.

This new policy for 2025 does not retroactively cover 2024 Cal Tri San Antonio (lightning) or 2024 Cal Tri Charlotte (hurricane). Those athletes were given the option to defer or transfer. 

Newport Beach, CA (October 7, 2024) – Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina and Cal Tri Events present the 2024 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. This historic triathlon, founded in 1978 as the Human Race Triathlon, continues to hold its place as the longest-running triathlon in the world operating from the same location. With an expected registration of nearly 2,000 participants, the event serves as the Cal Tri Events National Championship Race, welcoming athletes and their supporters to the iconic Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in the heart of Newport Beach in Southern California.

Participants, ranging in age from 7 to 82 years old, will come from across 30 states and 7 countries to compete in a wide range of events. This year’s race offers 21 event options, including triathlon, triathlon relay, run-bike-run, swim-bike, swim-run, swim and run at both the sprint & Olympic distance. The races are ideal for athletes of all ages and experience levels and include categories for youth participants.

The triathlon will take place at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, with the swim and run portions set within the resort, while the cycling route follows scenic Back Bay Drive and Eastbluff Drive. Spectators can enjoy the natural beauty of Newport Beach while cheering on their favorite athletes.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is conveniently located just 4 miles from the race venue, making it easy for participants traveling from out of state or internationally to attend. Newport Dunes also offers close proximity to Orange County’s most beloved attractions, such as Disneyland Park, Balboa Island and more.

The event also presents a significant opportunity for community involvement. Volunteers are encouraged to participate, with donations made to UC Irvine Sailing & Rowing in recognition of each volunteer’s time. This initiative is part of Cal Tri Events’ goal to help raise $50K for nonprofits.

The 2024 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes will take place at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660. For more details on the race, event options, and to register, please visit NewportDunes.CaliforniaTriathlon.org.

PUBLIC CONTACT

For more information on events and amenities at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort or to book a reservation, please call (949) 729-3863 or visit NewportDunes.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Photographers and press are welcome with prior approval. Please contact Sanaz@theaceagency.com to request credentials.

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Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is an iconic, inclusive, family-friendly recreation destination celebrating 60+ years of cherished memories in Orange County. Newport Dunes is home to the area’s premier waterfront RV resort, featuring full-hookup RV accommodations, charming cottages, and a 442-slip marina. Enjoy resort-style amenities such as a pool complex, bike and watercraft rentals, pirate-themed playground, planned recreation activities for guests, a waveless public beach with swimming lagoon, and an inflatable aquatic park (summer season) plus a public boat launch ramp. The resort offers breathtaking venues and elegant catering for corporate events and weddings and hosts exciting live entertainment and fundraising events.

Contact Information
Web: newportdunes.com
Phone: 949-729-3863
Address: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660
Facebook: facebook.com/NewportDunes
Instagram & TikTok: @NewportDunes

Cal Tri Events, Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest national short-course triathlon series in the U.S. Their mission is to provide safe, affordable, and accessible triathlon experiences that make a difference in the communities they serve. The Cal Tri Events difference includes $85 all-in early bird pricing, free pre-race swim clinics, free youth races (ages 7-17) and the best 15 words in triathlon; Free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race. Learn more at Triathlete Magazine, Endurance Business, and the New York Times.

Endurance Athletes Gain Access to Personalized Training Plans When Signing Up for Cal Tri Events

Revelstoke, BC and Lexington, VA – [September 30, 2024] – Cal Tri Events, the largest national short-course triathlon series in the U.S. with 10,000 annual registrations and growing, is excited to announce a new partnership with Athletica, a leader in AI-driven training solutions for endurance athletes. This collaboration will provide athletes signing up for Cal Tri’s multisport races with exclusive access to Athletica’s adaptive, science-based training platform.

AI-Driven Coaching Designed by Experts
At the core of Athletica’s platform is a deep foundation in sports science. Developed by Olympic-level coaches and sports scientists, Athletica leverages the latest research in exercise physiology to deliver personalized, dynamic training plans. These plans adapt in real-time to each athlete’s progress, ensuring that both novice and experienced athletes train effectively and efficiently for their races. “Athletica was founded on the principle of making science-based training accessible to all athletes, regardless of their experience,” said Mark Bridges, CEO of Athletica. “By partnering with Cal Tri Events, we’re able to bring our AI-powered coaching to athletes across multiple endurance disciplines. Whether they are training for their first sprint triathlon or preparing for a competitive bike race, Athletica’s science-based approach ensures they train smarter and reach their full potential.”

Tailored Training for Every Athlete
This partnership ensures that all athletes registering for Cal Tri Events will have access to exclusive offers from Athletica. Athletica’s platform delivers training plans personalized to each athlete’s current fitness level, with dynamic adjustments based on performance data from devices such as Garmin and platforms like Strava that integrate with most fitness trackers including Apple Watch. “Cal Tri Events is thrilled to partner with Athletica and offer our athletes a unique opportunity to train with cutting-edge technology,” said Thom Richmond, CEO of Cal Tri Events. “Our goal is to make endurance sports safe, affordable and accessible, and Athletica’s personalized, AI-driven training plans help us meet that mission by offering high-quality, science-based coaching that athletes of all levels can afford and safely benefit from.”

Key Features of the Partnership:

• AI-Driven Adaptive Training: Athletica’s platform uses advanced AI to continuously adjust training plans based on the athlete’s progress, fitness, and race goals.
• Exclusive Access for Cal Tri Participants: Athletes who sign up for Cal Tri Events will receive special offers, including free trials and discounted subscriptions to Athletica’s training platform.
• Support for All Race Types: Athletica’s platform caters to athletes training for triathlons, duathlons, running events, and bike races, offering sport-specific plans tailored to each event.
• Real-Time Adjustments: Athletica integrates with popular fitness devices to provide real-time feedback and ensure athletes are training at the right intensity for optimal performance.

A Science-Based Approach to Training
Athletica’s platform is built on a foundation of cutting-edge sports science. Led by Dr. Paul Laursen, an expert in endurance performance, the platform uses metrics like heart rate, power, and training load to optimize an athlete’s training and recovery. This data-driven approach ensures that athletes can train smarter, reduce the risk of injury, and consistently improve performance.

About Cal Tri Events
Cal Tri Events, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is the largest national short-course triathlon series in the U.S. The series features $85 all-in early bird pricing, free pre-race swim clinics, free youth races (ages 7-17) and the best 15 words in triathlon; Free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race.

About Athletica
Athletica is a leader in AI-powered coaching for endurance athletes. Its platform provides personalized, adaptive training plans based on decades of sports science research. By leveraging real-time data from wearables, Athletica helps athletes train smarter and reach their performance goals, offering the same level of coaching traditionally reserved for elite athletes.For more information, please visit Cal Tri Events or Athletica.

Cal Tri Events has announced today that Optimism, billed as ‘the inbox-first media company dedicated to building a brighter web’, will be the official title sponsor for the 2024 Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes on November 3, 2024.

According to Cal Tri Events… ‘This partnership underscores the shared values of positivity, innovation, and inclusivity that both organizations champion.’

“We are proud to partner with Optimism for the 2024 Cal Tri Newport Dunes race,” said Thom Richmond, CEO of Cal Tri Events.

“Optimism’s work in delivering uplifting, free content to inboxes aligns with our own commitment to accessible, affordable, and engaging triathlon experiences. We’re excited to see how this partnership will inspire athletes and spectators alike.”

Optimism focuses on delivering inspirational and meaningful stories to millions of readers daily. Its flagship newsletter, Nice News, a daily digest of positive news items, is the latest of many publications in its network delivering content to inboxes across the United States.

Optimism’s partnership with Cal Tri Events is seen to reflect… ‘a collective mission to embrace challenges and opportunities with optimism and to inspire people to experience life with greater positivity.’

“At Optimism, we believe positivity is the key to making the collective experience of our community of readers and Cal Tri Events athletes more inspiring,” said Nicholas Pardon, CEO of Optimism.

“We’re excited to support like-minded organizations & community events that bring people together.”

Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission for its events to be ‘safe, affordable & accessible’. It is billed as the largest national short-course triathlon series in the US – with athletes able to take advantage of free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race.