Wildflower Experience marks triumphant return to Lake San Antonio
Event delivered a blend of challenging endurance races and festival experiences
– The Wildflower Experience returned to Lake San Antonio from May 2 to May 4, welcoming more than 60 triathlon clubs and collegiate teams, along with thousands of supporters. The event featured endurance races and a festival atmosphere.
Athletes from 32 states and six countries participated in Wildflower’s courses, which included the Long Course, Olympic Distance, Sprint, Gravel Sprint triathlon, a 20K trail run, 5K and 10K fun runs, an open water swim, and the WF2 Challenge, which combined the Long and Olympic courses. The event drew participants ranging in age from 12 to 78.
“After a seven-year hiatus, bringing Wildflower back was both emotional and deeply personal,” said Colleen Bousman, race director and owner of See & Be Productions. “This wasn’t just about reviving a race; it was about restoring a community and a tradition that means so much to so many. It took a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, but the reward was seeing the joy, connection, and storytelling return to Lake San Antonio. It felt like a true reunion.”
The Overall Club Competition saw the University of California, Santa Barbara take first place, followed by the LA Triathlon Club, Silicon Valley Triathlon Club, Betty Squad, and Triathlon Club of Southern California. More than 60 clubs, including LA Tri Club, brought cheering squads and campfire gatherings.
“The energy at Wildflower is like nothing else,” said Deb Carabet of Elevate Multisport and LA Tri Club. “It’s not just about the race, it’s the campfires, the cheering squads, the shared meals, the camaraderie, even if you aren’t racing… It’s a celebration of the triathlon lifestyle and community in its purest form. We can’t wait to double our participation next year.”
In the collegiate division, UCSB took the championship title, competing against over 30 national and collegiate teams. Athletes from Cal Poly SLO, Oregon State, UC Davis, University of California, Irvine, University of California, San Diego, Stanford, and USC also competed. Medalists for the collegiate Olympic Distance included female winner Kelsey McDonald of Cal Poly, runner-up Tatiana Dorrestein of UC Davis, third-place Elizabeth Schauer of UCSB, and male winner Zane Moore of Oregon State, runner-up Nicolas Dorn of Stanford, and third-place Nico Wood of Cal Poly.
“Wildflower was an unforgettable experience for UCSB Triathlon. We brought over 60 athletes, including 12 first-timers tackling their first long course, and every one of them was met with incredible support and energy. From the enthusiastic volunteers and announcers to the bike mechanic who saved the day for several of our athletes, the entire event captured the spirit of the sport. We had a blast racing, camping, and soaking up the festival vibes. We’re already counting down the days until Wildflower 2026!” said Cameron Cox and Derrick Chan, co-presidents of the UCSB Triathlon Team.
Athletes Ryan Chaudoin of Isla Vista and Jen Temperley of Manhattan Beach, who is the owner of Fly Health + Wellness, completed the Long Course and Olympic Distance races. Chaudoin’s time was 8:34:15, and Temperley’s time was 8:10:27. “There’s just something about Wildflower,” said Temperley. “The vibe, the energy—you feel lucky to be part of it. Going back-to-back races was challenging, but that’s the magic of this race. That’s what makes it so special. The people, the course, the community…I’ll be back.”
The event also featured athletes from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, including Mohammed Lahna of Marin and father-son team Jim and Riley Pathman from San Diego, who completed the Olympic Course. Jonathan Pascual of Vallejo, who is living with stage 4 lung cancer, completed the triathlon despite the effects of chemotherapy.
“The Pathmans, Mohammed, Jonathan Pascual…their stories and the countless others like them at Wildflower—are what make this event more than a race,” Bousman said. “It’s about personal journeys, courage, and finding your reason to race, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.”
The festival included performances by Vince Cimo’s Hot Fire, The Vibe Setters, Ben Hein’s acoustic rock duo, and the Shawn Clark Family Band. Festivalgoers could also join the Wildflower Kids Race, wellness lounges with massages and yoga, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and an endurance expo.
“Wildflower is more than an event, it’s a movement, a legacy,” said Mike Buenting, sports marketing manager at Rudy Project North America. “We are proud to support this incredible community and be part of its rebirth.”
The TriDot Games were also introduced, with games such as corn hole, photo bingo, find Dottie, balloon pass, golf ball relay, scavenger hunt, yard pong, heads up, frisbee toss, and best photo played throughout the weekend. LA Tri Club won the trophy for the inaugural games.
Bousman said her team aimed to create a positive and unifying experience for participants and spectators. “We are proud that the event had the same vibe as its 30,000+ days, with those that have missed racing Wildflower and those that always wanted to race joined together, cheering on friends and teammates. It’s with a sense of accomplishment and dedication to be intentional on creating unity that we organized the event, so seeing that come together so magnificently was even greater than anyone could have anticipated,” she said.
Organizers announced that Wildflower 2026 will take place from May 1 to May 3. Plans include expanded race offerings, enhanced clinics, and the return of a reimagined elite race format. Early registration is available at www.wildflowerexperience.com.
