Pasadena Triathlon

March 12, 2022 · Pasadena, CA

Distance: (tri)5K run, 150m swim (du)5K run, 15K bike, 5K run

The Pasadena Triathlon, Duathlon and 5k returns for the 16th year at the Rose Bowl! This family friendly event offers something for everyone, including a reverse triathlon, kids triathlon, and a 5k fun run.

This event is great for new triathletes (lots of first timers), intermediate athletes (looking to get faster) and experienced triathletes (looking to gauge their fitness). Check out all the race categories below.

Reverse Triathlon

5k Run, 15k Bike, 150 Meter Swim

Duathlon

5k Run, 15k Bike, 5k Run

Angel 5k benefiting Angel City Sports

The course actually measures to a 5.3k which is just a smidgen over 3 miles.

Junior Triathlon (Kids 5-10 Years Old)

(7-10yrs) 1K run, 1.5 mi bike, 50yd swim
(5-6 yrs) 1/2 mile run, 3/4 mi bike, 25yd swim

Post Race Festival

The post race festival brings us all together.

(non-alcoholic) Beer Garden hosted by Athletic Brew Co.
Music, Food, Vendors.
Awards Ceremony.

What is a Reverse Triathlon?

Triathlon is a great way to challenge yourself and compete with your friends.. Traditionally triathlons are in a swim/bike run format. But in select areas (such as a pool swim), it makes more sense to do it reverse (imagine 500 people in a pool at once). So a Reverse Triathlon is when you run first, then bike, then swim.

Click here for registration information

pre-race	course	post-race
b	a	a

Review

2013 was my third year participating and I ran the 5K. Packet pickup was held on Friday (the day before the race) as well as the morning of the race. There is a triathlon and duathlon was well. The 5K is actually longer than a 5K, since it begins/ends at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center area and goes around the Rose Bowl. There was no line for packet pickup on the morning of the race, but finding parking was a bit of a challenge. I arrived an hour before the race started and the line to get into the parking lot just west of the RBAC was already backed up. Registration included a bib and a blue tech shirt with the Pasadena Triathlon logo on it. The shirt sizes were unisex and ran big. At the start line, all of the 5K runners started together (no wave starts, no pace signs to line up next to) and it wasn’t crowded. The course wasn’t crowded either. I do not notice any mile markers. At the finish line, there were lots of spectators and there was water, Gatorade, and Slaters 50/50 burgers. I don’t know if I’ll run this race again now that I’ve participated three times. While it’s close to home, it’s longer than a 5K and the focus seems to be on the triathlon/duathlon.

Review

Registration and packet pick-up: Registration was simple and easy. There was a hiccup with some outdated information about their transferring policy but was quickly amended. They offered “day before” and “day of” packet pick up which was cool. People that picked up their packets the day before were able to view part of the course and transition area. The workers that set it up were very kind and helpful. They explained to me how everything was set up and what to expect on race day (my first time).

Course: They had course maps posted online so nothing was a surprise. There was a really bad bike crash that I witnessed because of an individual walking across the bike lane. Other than the crash, everything was pretty well marked and the volunteers brought their “A” game. I didn’t have any problems navigating the course and transitioning.

Post Race: Excellent! They had burgers, bananas, and water. The medal was part of a bike chain. Pretty neat! Take a look at Google Images for pics of it.