Details

The City of Gold Triathlon is a sprint triathlon at beautiful Lake Oroville in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The event is open to men, women, boys and girls of all ages and accepts both individual and two- or three-person relay teams. Because of its dramatic scenery and undulating terrain, the City of Gold is well known for being one of the most beautiful and challenging sprint triathlons in California.

Besides the course attributes, the City of Gold is also well known and endeared for being highly organized and extremely friendly. Our two Race Directors, Nikki Stadler and Julie Healy, are both triathletes themselves and they understand what athletes want out of an event. They love to create happy memories for their participants and recruit dozens of volunteers every year who make sure the athletes are well taken care of.

Descriptions of individual legs of the event are below. Click a link to jump or scroll through this page to learn more.

Swim | Bike | Run | Transition Area | Other Info | Course Map

Swim

The swim is one-half mile in Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in California. The surface temperature at this time oft the year averages 63 degrees. Wet suits are recommended and available for rent at the event (reservations are required and available at Fleet Feet Chico). The swim course is triangular in shape. There are water rescue personnel in the water to provide assistance to those who need it. As with all the City of Gold events, you will not be penalized if you do not complete the swim.

Swimmers enter the water in 5 waves: Men 34 and under, Men 35 and over, Women 34 and under, Women 35 and over, relay teams. Waves start at 9:00 AM and are separated by 5 minutes. Each wave gets their own swim cap color.

Bike

The bike ride is 12.1 miles along paved roads near Lake Oroville. The course starts with a steep uphill from the Transition Area, out the park and up to the Lake Oroville Visitor's Center. From there, bikers turn around and travel several miles downhill to Highway 162. At this point, all riders must come to a complete stop and place one foot on the ground. We are not stopping traffic. Each rider may proceed across the highway when they determine it is safe. At this time in the morning, Highway 162 is not heavily used.

After crossing the highway, riders proceed several miles along flat country road to the Oroville Grange hall. Here, riders turn around, ride several miles back uphill to the park entrance and back in to the Transition Area.

Run

Runners leave the Transition Area and head up the 3.1-mile Dan Beebee Trail, a single-track dirt trail among manzanita and pine trees. The first mile of the trail is very steep. The last 2.1 miles are primarily downhill and wind around a point on Lake Oroville. As runners leave the trail they come back to the road in to the Transition Area and cross the finish line with a magnificent view of Lake Oroville. There are two water stations along the run.

Transition Area

The Transition Area is the Bidwell Canyon Recreation Area. There is parking available for participants and spectators. Inside the Transition Area are bike racks for more than enough participants. Each participant chooses their own bike rack and lays out their equipment at their spot in the bike rack. Spectators are not allowed inside the Transition Area. Restrooms and garbage facilities are available.

Other Info

• This event is USAT sanctioned
• 2 or 3 persons may make up a relay team
• Free bike inspection before the event
• Helmets must be worn by all participants during the
  bike section
• Each participant will receive a goodie-bag, technical T-shirt, and
  participant medal
• No drafting is allowed
• Stay after the event for music, food, and raffle prizes
• Every year the City of Gold donates a portion of its proceeds to a charity. This year we're helping raise money for the Oroville Rescue Mission. Past year's beneficiaries have been the Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and The Little Red Hen Garden Center.
• Wet suits will be available for rent from Fleet Feet Chico for $50. You must reserve them ahead of time by calling 530-345-1000.
• Refund policy: Sorry, no refunds. However, if you provide us with 15-day notice that you cannot make the triathlon we will give you a $35 credit toward next year's event.