2026 Mission Bay Race Changes, Refunds & Qualification
The XTERRA WETSUITS Mission Bay Triathlon took place on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Before the event start, San Diego City Lifeguards canceled the swim. The race proceeded on modified courses; it was not canceled. Sprint and International triathlon athletes completed a 1.2-mile out-and-back run in place of the swim, followed by their scheduled bike and final run. Other divisions followed the separate instructions in the race-day update.
We understand that losing the swim changed the race experience and may have been disappointing. This page summarizes what the published course update, registration terms and championship rules say.
Course change and weather
The swim cancellation was made by San Diego City Lifeguards before the race. Race staff published revised course and staging instructions and wet-weather cycling guidance, and asked athletes to follow staff directions and use extra care on the bike course.
Read the full race-day update and course instructions.
San Diego Triathlon Series points and USA Triathlon rankings
The race-day update states that modified events count toward San Diego Triathlon Series points and USA Triathlon rankings, and that this race counts toward the USAT State Championship and Nationals qualification.
USA Triathlon's rankings rules say that when a leg is canceled or changed before a race starts, the race is ranked as originally sanctioned, regardless of when the change occurs. Under that rule, canceling the swim did not remove the race's originally sanctioned triathlon ranking status. Official results and each athlete's eligibility determine individual points and ranking status.
USA Triathlon rankings rules · San Diego Triathlon Series rules
2027 Nationals qualification
USA Triathlon's 2027 qualification period runs from June 1, 2026 through July 30, 2027. Mission Bay's State Championship was held October 11, 2026, within that period. Any qualification earned from this event applies to 2027 Nationals, not 2026 Nationals.
Sprint State Championship: the top 35% or top five finishers in an age group, whichever is greater, qualify for Sprint Nationals.
International/Olympic State Championship: the same age-group threshold qualifies for Olympic-Distance Nationals.
High School State Championship: finishers automatically qualify for Sprint Nationals if they are at least 15 years old by December 31, 2027.
Qualification is subject to the official USAT rules, the athlete's eligible individual category and the final results. Review USA Triathlon's 2027 Nationals criteria and its State Championship listing.
State Championship jersey
First-place finishers in eligible age groups, high-school categories and special divisions earn the right to purchase the official California State Championship jersey. KOZ Events will email eligible winners with ordering instructions.
Refunds, transfers and deferrals
The event proceeded with a modified course. The published RunSignup policy says refunds are not issued once registration is complete. The Mission Bay Triathlon waiver describes weather and other risks, says routes or distances may change or be canceled in circumstances beyond the organizer's control, and states: “All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.” It also states that refunds are not given in those circumstances.
For this course change, KOZ Events did not offer refunds, a deferred entry or a transfer to a different event. Optional registration insurance is separate; athletes who purchased it should check the insurer's claim instructions.
RunSignup registration required the participant to review and acknowledge the event waiver before completing registration. For an individual registration record, please refer to that athlete's RunSignup confirmation and waiver acknowledgment.
Questions about the event update or a registration record: info@kozenterprises.com.
