Wildflower Triathlon

Known for a particularly hilly and grueling course, it was one of the largest triathlon events in the world, with 7,500 athletes and 30,000 spectators attending each year at its peak.

[2] Shortly after the 2015 event, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors announced it would close Lake San Antonio due to low water levels.

The course proceeded onto San Antonio Drive and out of the park onto Interlake Road past the first checkpoint at mile six.

Triathletes would depart the transition area to the southwest and climb the Lynch Ramp stairs.

At the base of "Beach Hill" athletes continued straight off of the road and on to the trails along the shoreline until the Harris Creek campgrounds.

After this, they followed the paved road as it turned right past the launch ramp for a short climb up the hill.

The trail followed the creek to Long Valley with two steep hills to climb out the other side at 5.7 miles (9.2 km).

The course would have sailboats, clearly marked, at the corners and there would be course marker buoys and lifeguards on long boards every 100 yards.

Cyclist would leave the transition area to the north and proceed directly up "Lynch Hill."

As they re-entered the park, riders turned left and headed down Lynch Hill and back to the transition area.

Triathletes would depart the transition area to the southwest, and climb the Lynch Ramp stairs.

They followed the trails through Harris Creek campgrounds, and proceeded past the launch ramp parking lot and onto Lake San Antonio Drive.

These closures were based upon the start time of the last individual age group wave and were for the safety of participants and volunteers.

Olympic race swimmers starting at Wildflower 2005