Originally published at: Original Wildflower Back On the Schedule - Slowtwitch News
A select few in-person social endeavors become cultural institutions. Woodstock was more than a music concert. Bay to Breakers was (and remains) more than a footrace. Very few triathlons clear that bar and offhand I would list Kona, Roth, maybe Escape from Alcatraz and certainly the Wildflower Triathlon. Begun in 1983 it was in some years the world’s largest.
The original Wildflower is back and “original” in this case refers to the ownership structure and the mechanics of the production. The daughter – Colleen Bousman – of the founder – Terry Davis – of the Wildflower Triathlon was the main organizing force during this event’s halcyon years. She reacquired the race from Motiv Sports, who had it for most of the past decade. The most important news to Wildflower devotees is that after years of drought and atypical water management the swim venue – Lake San Antonio – is nearly full and the water release schedule for the next couple of years is minimal. Race dates are May 2nd through 4th of 2025 and registration is open.
Why is the reconstitution of any particular race worthy of a front page article? This race is a phenomenon unreplicated in triathlon. Peak numbers were 9,000 registering with 7,500 participating and while some races have been bigger – London and Hamburg, maybe Chicago Triathlon – Wildflower was unique in that you almost have to camp and almost everyone wanted to. The organizers had a special relationship with this very large county park, as Terry Davis was a longtime Monterey County (just below San Francisco) Parks & Rec director. Back then, and again for the race upcoming, the organizers rent out the entire Lake San Antonio park and triathlon clubs are given their own discrete locations to camp. Typically clubs would bring their members out and in years past you’d see about 70 clubs with banners flying above their camping area. So far more than 50 clubs have signed up to get their spots for the upcoming May race and Ms. Bousman says that this pace projects to perhaps 80 clubs by race weekend.
This race is doubly important because it’s a bellwether of the strength of triathlon in the U.S. and in particular non-IRONMAN-affiliated triathlon. For a long time Wildflower was a Kona qualifier but when Kona slots were reallocated away from Wildflower in 2001 the race didn’t skip a beat. Its value was intrinsic. It wasn’t a means to another race. It was its own reward for those who participated and the annual return rate was routinely 70 percent year-over-year. Even plopping popular IRONMAN St. George proximate to the Wildflower weekend didn’t dent the numbers. Only a lack of water caused Wildflower’s numbers to drop and – fingers crossed – that appears to be no longer an issue for the upcoming event.
The other important relationship that returns for 2025 is the participation of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the students a critical part of Wildflower’s volunteer army, with event work a part of Cal Poly SLO’s curriculum.
Also back is the expo and drawing from my own days as a manufacturer/vendor Wildflower annually hosted the best revenue and brand-building expo of any triathlon in the U.S. (Others may disagree but this was my brand’s experience.) This was no-doubt due to the captive audience that was typically there for 3 or 4 days rather than 3 or 4 hours. Folks would hang out at the lawn in front of the main stage. The bluegrass (and country and classic rock) bands will be back along with the many food vendors.
One thing old timers will find somewhat different is attention on events for those not racing triathlons. It’s not Wildflower Triathlon anymore, but Wildflower Experience. The spectator-to-participant ratio at Wildflower was a very high 3:1, which meant 75 percent of those camping in the park had no events for them and in peak years the park hosted 30,000 total attendees. Accordingly, in recent years a 5k, 10k, trail run and open water swim race was added mostly for these folks who were so-inclined and in subsequent years Wildflower pros who’ve gone on to excellence in other single-sport endeavors – like Angela Naeth and Heather Jackson – may participate in bringing gravel and/or ultra trail runs to this weekend (in future years).
A lot changed at that park over the last 6 years. What kind of shape is the park in? Are the facilities still there? The answer is yes and no. Over the last 3 years Monterey County has been refurbishing the park, focusing on water, sewer and the trail system. But race management will have to augment with extra facilities and anticipates spending $40,000 to do that beyond what’s normally in the race budget. The County pulled out half the cabins but did replace those with pull-in RV hook ups and there are additional lakeview RV spots. For those who just <i>don’t camp</i> There are air B&Bs at nearby Oak Shores and Lake Nacimiento and it’s off season so the rates are attractive.
Let’s talk about reg fees because this race is an example of the changes so many of us have asked for for decades. In part this is due to changes in California consumer law, mostly a response to the excesses of Ticketmaster. The price you see is the price you get. No “convenience fee” at the end. The long course (identical to the 70.3 distances) is $384.75. Olympic-distance course is $238.50. The Offroad Sprint (where you will find me) is $176.10. Another feature worth noting: If you enter and find you can’t use your registration, you can transfer yours to another for a $25 fee.
Because there is no annual in-person industry trade show for triathlon, and other annual meet-ups have ceased, Ms. Bousman noted that “people have missed a place to gather.” She’s right. I used to see my friends and contemporaries a half-dozen times a year and now I don’t see them at all. Ms. Bousman’s event was one of those times and in her vision it will be again.
Of course, Wildflower’s events were never easy. “When you come to WF you have to check your ego at the door, because of the nature of the course,” Ms. Bousman said. “It’s a hard race to do. But it’s also not just about you. You cheer on your teammates. It’s good for peoples’ souls. You feel good on Monday morning, not hungover.
