The 2026 Cal Tri Lake Havasu race is officially in the books, and what a way to open the season. Lake Havasu State Park delivered a stunning backdrop for a fantastic day of endurance racing, setting the tone for everything Cal Tri Events has in store this year.
This year marked Cal Tri Events' first time operating the race, and athletes felt the difference. New energy, refreshed course updates, and a buzz in transition that many returning athletes agreed made for an even better racing experience than years past.
Athletes from across the United States and Canada toed the line across 18 event options, including Olympic, Sprint, and Youth distances spanning Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, and standalone swim and run events. That variety is no accident. It reflects Cal Tri Events' core commitment to making endurance sports safe, affordable, and accessible for athletes of every background and ability level.
Race Day Conditions
Race morning delivered the kind of conditions triathletes dream about, with sunny skies, calm water, and nearly no wind at the start. Water temperature held at a brisk 62°F, keeping athletes sharp from the first stroke.
Winds began building as the morning progressed, reaching around 12 mph by 10:00 AM and climbing to around 20 mph by the time the final athletes crossed the finish line. The timing worked in athletes' favor, with the bike cutoff at 10:30 AM meaning most had already finished the ride before the stronger gusts arrived.
Course Highlights
Athletes kicked off the day with a classic beach start, running into the water and navigating around the East Quoddy Lighthouse Replica. Olympic distance athletes pushed further down the channel toward the iconic London Bridge before making a u-turn and navigating towards the swim exit.
Out on the bike, London Bridge Road offered open desert views and a fast, rolling return leg. Fair warning to future athletes: the course packs more climbing than it might look on paper. Those who respected the hills on the way out were rewarded with a satisfying downhill charge back to transition.
The run brought it all home in style, passing beneath the London Bridge itself and tracing the scenic Shoreline Trail along the channel waterfront before the final push to the finish line.
By the Numbers
- 199 athletes participated
- 42% female / 58% male
- 37% first-time racers
- Youngest athlete: 7 years old
- Oldest athlete: 67 years old
Top Finishers
Olympic Triathlon — Female
| Place | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Adriana Hernandez | 2:34:48 |
| 🥈 2nd | Erica Chappell | 2:52:45 |
| 🥉 3rd | Brooke Carter | 2:56:17 |
Olympic Triathlon — Male
| Place | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | John Evans | 2:13:47 |
| 🥈 2nd | Daniel Arecco | 2:16:30 |
| 🥉 3rd | Seth Heinz | 2:17:27 |
Sprint Triathlon — Female
| Place | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Jennifer Holmes | 1:18:51 |
| 🥈 2nd | Lucy Bell | 1:21:01 |
| 🥉 3rd | Maggie Feinstein | 1:22:08 |
Sprint Triathlon — Male
| Place | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Michael Macias | 1:04:17 |
| 🥈 2nd | Richard Palmer | 1:14:11 |
| 🥉 3rd | Dylan Frauhiger | 1:15:48 |
Full race results can be found at https://www.athlinks.com/event/30285/results/Event/1135678/Results.
Race Week Activities
The week leading into race day was packed with opportunity to prepare. Thursday and Friday's skills camp gave athletes dedicated time to sharpen their technique before the pressure of race morning.
On Saturday, the pre-race clinic brought athletes together to work on swim skills and transitions, get their race day questions answered, and maybe most importantly, shake off the nerves and head into Sunday feeling ready and confident.
A Big Thank You
The 2026 Cal Tri Lake Havasu race wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of some incredible organizations and individuals:
- Lake Havasu State Park
- Mohave County Sheriff Department
- Lake Havasu Police Department
- Paramedics, lifeguards, and kayakers
- Race captains and volunteers
Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to athlete safety made for a seamless and welcoming race day experience. We are truly grateful for each and every one of them.
Results and Photos
Race results and photos are available:
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.