Oceanside, Calif.- January 30, 2013- Whether looking to train like an elite athlete, experience a sport for the first time or simply be inspired by a front row seat to world-class sporting events,   Oceanside, San Diego's North Shore, is a mecca for the fitness-minded traveler. A year-round calendar of elite athletic events, abundance of recreation options and stellar outdoor-oriented climate, put this coastal town at the forefront of Athletic Tourism. Adding to the destination's increasing allure is the announcement of the new Life Time Tri Oceanside, an international distance triathlon set for October 20, 2013, which serves as the 2013 Life Time Tri Championship.

“Athletic tourism encompasses a broad definition of activities and events,” said Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside. “On the one hand it can include visitors who have made a new or renewed pledge to getting in shape and want a vacation that can motivate them and kick start a new fitness program. For those in peak condition already, it can mean finding new ways to push their limits, such as a premier running event, triathlon or sporting competition.”

Elite Events

Oceanside enjoys a world-class reputation as a training ground for elite athletes and a venue for leading sporting events such as triathlons, bike races and surf contests.Few cities enjoy as many elite sporting events as Oceanside, which boasts an annual calendar of nearly one major sporting event each month including the California Ironman 70.3 Triathlon (March), Southern California Beach Soccer Championships (May), Race Across America bike race (June), Surftech RSP3 (July), US Pro Longboard Championships (August), World Body Surfing Championships (August), Labor Day Pier Swim (September), Bike the Coast-Taste the Coast (November) and Oceanside Turkey Trot (November).

Adding to the lineup in 2013 is the prestigious Life Time Tri Championship, an international distance triathlon. In its inaugural year, Life Time Tri Oceanside is expected to host more than 1,500 triathletes as the final of 12 Life Time Tri events across the country. Life Time Tri Oceanside will start with a 1.5-kilometer swim in the Oceanside Harbor. Athletes will enjoy a beach transition before starting a 40-kilometer bike course along the San Luis Rey Mission Expressway. The 10-kilometer run course follows white, sandy beaches allowing for a spectator-fueled finish adjacent at the historic Oceanside Pier. To keep Life Time Tri Oceanside accessible to athletes with a concentration on short course format, as well as beginner athletes, the event also will feature a shorter sprint distance race. 

For the Novice Athlete

You don't have to be a professional to compete in Oceanside. Many of Oceanside's athletic events have opportunities for the novice or even children to take part. Bike the Coast-Taste the Coast is a highly anticipated community bike race, which takes participants of all levels along coastal bike routes ranging from 7 miles to 100 miles with a finish at the Oceanside Pier for a fun family-oriented expo with food, activities and products. Another fun community event is the annual Oceanside Turkey Trot, a coastal running race of varying distances held on Thanksgiving morning. The Labor Day Pier Swim, World Body Surfing Championships and Beach Soccer Championships also have opportunities for athletes of varying abilities.

Recreational Fun

In addition to organized competitions, Oceanside offers a wide variety of soft adventure recreational activities for visitors of all ages. Named San Diego's only bike-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists, visitors can rent recreational bikes for the day for a nominal fee and explore the coastal boardwalk and scenic 7-mile San Luis Rey Bike Trail. At the beach and harbor, travelers can opt for surf or stand-up paddle board lessons. Coastal pedestrian paths are great for jogging, walking and rollerblading too. The harbor is a natural draw for boating enthusiasts who can pursue a number of recreational activities including jet skiing, boating, sailing, sea kayaking and sport fishing.

About Oceanside

Centrally located in the heart of the beautiful Southern California coastline, Oceanside is considered the gateway city between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles. A classic Southern California beach town, Oceanside's central location offers visitors an ideal place to stay and experience California's casual spirit. With 3.5 miles of sandy beach, a quaint New England-style harbor, California's longest wooden pier and a stellar year-round climate, Oceanside is an ideal place for enjoying active pursuits including surfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, bike-riding and more. The city also boasts a number of important cultural attractions including Mission San Luis Rey (The King of Missions), the California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art.

About Visit Oceanside

To assist with every aspect of your travel needs, Oceanside is home to one of the state's official California Welcome Centers and the Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB/California Welcome Center- Oceanside is conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway.  For more information, please call (800)350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org.