Overview
Race the fast, flat IRONMAN California course in Sacramento. Enjoy a downriver swim, scenic bike ride, and spirited run. Perfect for personal bests!
California State of Mind IRONMAN California stands out as an exceptional triathlon event set in the electric city of Sacramento, known for its fast course that provides athletes with an incredible racing experience. Sacramento, a city filled with restaurants, shops, and a plethora of activities, serves as the perfect backdrop for this thrilling race. The flat terrain allows triathletes to unleash their full potential, with a downriver 2.4MI swim, voted one of the best swim courses in North America as voted on by athletes, a fast and flat 112MI bike through beautiful farm and wine country, and a spirited 26.2MI run lined with cheering spectators. The race culminates at an epic finish line at the California State Capitol, providing a grand and iconic backdrop for becoming an IRONMAN.
Race categories
226K
IRONMAN
- Schedule
Thursday, October 15, 2026
12 PM - 5 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 12 PM - 5 PM · IRONMAN Village PLAYTRI Triathlon Store & Tech Service Center VIP Spectator Credential Pick-Up Information Tent/Lost & Found IRONKIDS Fun Run Registration & Packet Pick-Up · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 12 PM - 5 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 1:30 PM · Stage Talk #1 – Swim Race Day Tactics and Q&A · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 2 PM · Athlete Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 3 PM · Spectator Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 4 PM · Athlete Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th StFriday, October 16, 2026
8 AM · HOKA Shakeout Run hosted by Above the Mean TriClub · Blueprint Coffee Project 8:45 AM · Coffee Social hosted by Above the Mean TriClub · Blueprint Coffee Project 9 AM - 5 PM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up (AWA Priority Check-In ends at 12 PM) · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 5 PM · IRONMAN Village PLAYTRI Triathlon Store & Tech Service Center VIP Spectator Credential Pick-Up Information Tent/Lost & Found IRONKIDS Fun Run Registration & Packet Pick-Up · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 5 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 10 AM - 1 PM · Practice Swim ( Athletes MUST check in on Thursday or Friday before 12 PM to participate. Athletes will not be permitted to enter the water after 12:45 PM or without a timing chip) · Tiscornia Park (195 Jibboom St) 11 AM · Athlete Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 1:30 PM · Stage Talk #2 – Nutrition Race Day Tactics and Q&A · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 2 PM · Athlete Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 3 PM · First Timers Q&A · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 7 PM - 8 PM · Welcome Ceremony · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th StSaturday, October 17, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM · IRONKIDS Fun Run Registration & Packet Pick-Up · 804 Riverfront St 9 AM · IRONKIDS Fun Run · 804 Riverfront St 9 AM - 11 AM · Athlete Check-In & Timing Chip Pick-Up · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 3 PM · IRONMAN Village PLAYTRI Triathlon Store & Tech Service Center VIP Spectator Credential Pick-Up Information Tent/Lost & Found · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 3 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 10 AM - 4 PM · Mandatory Bike Check-In · 804 Riverfront St 11 AM · Athlete Briefing · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM · Golden Hour at the Finish Line · Capitol Mall at 5th StSunday, October 18, 2026 - Race day!
4:30 AM - 6:30 AM · Drop Personal Needs Bike & Run Bags · 804 Riverfront St 4:30 AM - 6:30 AM · Transition Open · 804 Riverfront St 5 AM - 6:30 AM · Athlete Shuttle Bus to Swim Start ATHLETES ONLY! No spectators permitted at swim start. · 804 Riverfront St 5:30 AM - 7 PM · IRONMAN Village Information Tent/Lost & Found · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 7 AM · Race Start · American River: Township 9 Park 12 PM - 7 PM · Official IRONMAN Store · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 3 PM - 12:30 AM (Mon.) · Post-Race Athlete Food · Finish Line Secure Zone 3:30 PM - 12:30 AM (Mon.) · Morning Clothes Bag Pick-Up · Finish Line Secure Zone 5:45 PM - 12:30 AM (Mon.) · Bike & Gear Check-Out · 804 Riverfront StMonday, October 19, 2026
7 AM - 12 PM · IRONMAN Village · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 7 AM - 12 PM · Official IRONMAN Store and Medal Engraving · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 12 PM · PLAYTRI Triathlon Store & Tech Service Center · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM - 10 AM · Celebration Day Breakfast · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St 9 AM · Awards Ceremony & 2027 IRONMAN World Championship Slot Allocation & Rolldown Ceremony Automatic Qualifiers need to be present during the Awards Ceremony to claim their slot with their award. Slot Allocation/Rolldown for the remaining age group “Performance Pool Slots” will begin immediately following Awards. Be early! Must be present to claim a slot. · Capitol Mall between 3rd St & 4th St- Route
Swim
River
Bike
Flat
Run
Flat
Typical race-day conditions
Air 11–27 °C · Water 17 °CSwim course
IRONMAN California features a downriver swim with athletes starting in the American River near Township 9 Park. The 2.4 mile swim course is a point to point into the Sacramento River and exiting near the famous Tower Bridge. We'll be sure to place the turn buoys at the confluence of the rivers in the best location to match the current.Bike course
The IRONMAN California bike course is a flat and fast, two-loop tour of the beautiful farm and wine country. The Sacramento River delta region, athletes will tour what makes Sacramento the farm to fork city, which will showcase the great agricultural region of the Central Valley. Athletes will be able to test their fitness and break their best on this flat bike course.Run course
IRONMAN California will be a flat, fast two-loop run course. Athletes will start their run heading South on the River Walk Trail along the Sacramento River out to your first turnaround. Then, head North, where athletes will cross under the historic Tower Bridge, I Street Bridge, and run along the River Walk Trail before heading back and crossing Tower Bridge to pick up the American River Bike trail in Old Sacramento. Once the runners have reached the turnaround near Discovery Park, they will retrace their footsteps back to transition to start their second lap. Once the runners have completed their second lap, they will run through Old Sacramento, along Front St., and back into beautiful downtown Sacramento, where you will run Capitol Mall to the finish. This course not only offers the opportunity for the Athlete to PR, but it also offers excellent opportunities for spectators to watch…
Update history
3 Oct 2026
Venue changed: Sacramento, CA, United States → IRONMAN California, Sacramento
3 Oct 2026
Time changed: 18 October at 0:00 → 18 October at 4:00
IRONMAN California
Sun, 18 Oct 2026