Cal Tri Events and Optimism are selecting ten athletes for the inaugural Optimism Athlete Team at Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes, November 1, 2026. Applications are open now and close September 15, 2026.
This isn't about being the fastest athlete on the course. It's about inspiring others through your journey, supporting fellow competitors, and showing that optimism is a choice we make every day.
Selected athletes receive
- Complimentary race entry — Your entry to Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes, covered in full.
- Personalized coaching — A plan built around your distance, leading into race weekend.
- An exclusive goodie bag — Handed to you at the athlete meet-and-greet on Saturday.
- A featured athlete profile — Your story, shared with the Cal Tri Events community and on the Optimism platform.
- Lunch with the founders — An intimate Saturday lunch with Nicholas Pardon, Founder of Optimism, and Thom Richmond, CEO of Cal Tri Events.
Who should apply
Athletes of every age, ability, and experience level are invited to apply. Tell us why you represent the spirit of optimism. Share your story — how you've overcome challenges, how you lift others up, and why you'd be a great ambassador for our community.
- First-timers
- Seasoned racers
- Comeback stories
- Volunteers
- Mentors
- Adaptive athletes
- Parent athletes
- Everyday athletes
Race weekend
- Saturday: Athlete meet-and-greet, lunch with Nicholas Pardon and Thom Richmond, photography, interviews, and team portraits.
- Sunday: Optimism Cal Tri Newport Dunes, then post-race storytelling with the team.
What we look for
- Perseverance — The training days no one sees, and the reasons you kept going.
- Positivity — Optimism as a practice, not a mood — chosen again each day.
- Encouragement — The athlete who doubles back to run someone else in.
- Community — How you show up for the people around you, all year.
How selection works
- Apply by September 15, 2026 — Short application. Most athletes finish in under 20 minutes.
- We read every story — Cal Tri Events and Optimism review applications together, one by one.
- Ten athletes announced — Selected athletes hear from us directly, then meet the rest of the team.
Because the best races aren't defined by finish times — they're defined by the people who inspire everyone around them.
Applications close September 15, 2026.
Apply Today