SoCal Triathlon Team Kicks Off Race Season in Orange County, CA
It’s starting to feel like race season is truly upon us. The SoCal Triathlon Team had an exciting weekend in Orange County, CA. On Saturday, we combined racing the Hawk Flight 5K with a solid day of cycling. This was followed by one of our newest athletes racing the Pediatric Cancer 5K on Sunday.
What a great vibe at the Hawk’s Flight 5K! The inaugural edition of this race was organized by Race Director Martin Stringer. When Martin isn’t educating the next generation at Santiago Canyon College, he can often be found cycling with his teammates on the SoCal Triathlon Team. Yes, we are biased, but Martin and his team really did put on a fantastic 5K event. It was well-organized and supported by lots of volunteers. The course was challenging but fair, and the after-party was quite fun.
Surveying the over 200 participants before the gun went off, I was reminded of why these types of age-group races are so engaging. They bring together people from all walks of life, with a myriad of prior experiences, goals for the future, social stations, and viewpoints. Despite the many differences, we were all there for a common cause: to participate in a community event established to give back. Some of us raced our hearts out, enjoying the thrill of competing against ourselves and the rest of the field. Others just wanted to kick off the day with a solid workout, maybe using the race as motivation to get out the door in the morning. Many were there to simply participate, support, and enjoy a walk with friends.
At the finish line, I loved seeing so many recent finishers enjoying that endorphin rush that comes with successfully completing a hard race. They embraced and celebrated with absolute strangers, letting their typical guard down and just enjoying the moment.
Looking forward to the next big race for our Irvine, CA based club, the excitement is building as we are only about two weeks away from IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside. Beyond the thrill of racing with many of our teammates on the day itself, there are so many additional benefits that come when you race as a member of an in-person TriClub. All the training leading up to the event is so much more engaging and enjoyable when you are with teammates. The group swims, rides, and runs provide extra motivation, education, and the feeling that you are not alone as you prepare for a big race or event. It can be a blessing when you are anxiously preparing to start your race to have a friend or more from the team to talk with and keep you settled. During the race, especially when things are getting tough, it’s amazing how much just seeing another member of the team out there on the course with you can lift your spirits and help you find another gear. Post- and pre-race celebrations are always a blast when you are with a group.
The fun is just starting as we move into spring and start tackling the varied races on our calendar. After IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, we have a growing list of athletes signing on for some great races, including the Orange County Triathlon, IRONMAN 70.3 Boise, Long Beach Legacy Triathlon, and IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz. It’s crazy to think about it, but seeds are already being planted for 2026, where the team is looking to send a large squad towards a full-distance IRONMAN adventure.
With over 50 races currently on the schedule for this year, it is sure to be a memorable one for our club in Orange County, CA.
~Mitch
