The March Triathlon Series is the longest running collegiate triathlon in the West Coast. The event started as a senior project in 1998 and was held on campus at Cal Poly. Race participants joined from Cal Poly, Santa Barbara, and Cal Berkeley with a total of 15 racers. The spring race served as a warm up for Wildflower, which was the collegiate national championship race. Eventually, the race grew and moved to Lake Lopez, Arroyo Grande in 2004, where it transformed into the March Triathlon Series.
The first race included an 800 yard pool swim, 23 mile bike along Hwy 1, and a 6 mile run through the agricultural fields at Cal Poly. Now, the race includes a Sprint distance with an 800 yard swim, 12.3 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run, and an Olympic distance with a 1500 meter swim, 24.7 mile bike, and a 6.2 mile run.
Although it has changed a lot from its humble beginnings, the mission of MTS has always been to produce a competitive sporting event, which promotes athletic excellence, sportsmanship, and a love for the sport, while providing a safe and supportive environment for athletes of all skill levels, whether age-group or collegiate.
MTS is proudly hosted by the Cal Poly Triathlon Team. All proceeds from the event help provide our athletes low-cost club team membership, affordable gear, as well as discounted race entries and travel fees to collegiate races throughout California and to Collegiate Nationals.
