Santa Rosa Island Triathlon Takes Over Pensacola Beach October 3
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One of Pensacola Beach’s biggest endurance events hits Casino Beach this Saturday.
The 30th annual Zarzaur Law Santa Rosa Island Triathlon takes place Saturday, October 3, bringing swimmers, cyclists and runners to Pensacola Beach for a sprint distance race along the Gulf and through the beach community.
The race starts at 7 AM, with activity beginning around Casino Beach well before sunrise as athletes prepare for the swim, bike and run.
Here’s what to know if you are racing, watching or heading to Pensacola Beach Saturday morning.
What Is the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon?
The Santa Rosa Island Triathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned sprint distance race held on Pensacola Beach.
The course includes a Gulf swim, an out and back bike ride along Pensacola Beach and a 5K run through the surrounding beach neighborhood.
The event is celebrating its 30th year in 2026.
Athletes can compete individually or as part of two person and three person relay teams, with additional divisions including Aquabike, Clydesdale, Athena and physically challenged athletes.
What Is the Course?
The race starts in the Gulf near Casino Beach.
The swim is approximately 550 meters, or about 600 yards, with athletes entering the water east of the transition area near the Hampton Inn.
After the swim, competitors head into the Casino Beach transition area before beginning a 21 kilometer bike course along Pensacola Beach.
The final leg is a 5K run through the beach neighborhood east of Casino Beach before athletes return toward the Gulfside Pavilion for the finish.
What Time Does the Race Start?
Saturday, October 3
7 AM
Casino Beach
Pensacola Beach
Physically challenged athletes are scheduled to begin at 6:57 AM, followed by the self seeded race start at 7 AM.
Transition opens to athletes at 5:30 AM and closes at 6:45 AM.
The awards presentation is scheduled for 10:30 AM.
Want to Watch Instead of Race?
You do not have to be competing to check it out.
Casino Beach is the center of the action, with the swim start, transition area and finish all located around the Gulfside Pavilion and Casino Beach parking lot.
If you want to watch the race, arriving early gives you the best chance to see athletes enter the Gulf, transition onto their bikes and return for the run.
Parking for spectators is directed to the west side of the Casino Beach parking lot.
Expect additional traffic and activity around Pensacola Beach Saturday morning.
Packet Pickup Starts Friday
Athletes can pick up race packets Friday, October 2 from 2 PM to 7 PM at the Casino Beach Pavilion.
A technical course review is scheduled for 4:30 PM Friday at the packet pickup location.
Race day packet pickup is also available Saturday from 5:30 AM to 6:15 AM.
Athletes must pick up their own packets and bring identification.
There Is a Kids Triathlon Sunday
The weekend does not end with Saturday’s race.
The Zarzaur Law Sea Turtle Triathlon takes place Sunday, October 4 and gives children ages 6 through 15 a chance to compete in their own multisport event on a closed course.
The youth event is designed as a full triathlon experience with volunteers and family members able to cheer competitors along the course.
The Event Supports Local Youth Athletics
The Santa Rosa Island Triathlon is managed by Give It A Tri, Inc., a local nonprofit focused on supporting youth athletics in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Since 2019, the organization says it has donated more than $30,000 to local youth athletic programs and organizations.
Make a Pensacola Beach Day Out of It
Once the race wraps up, you are already in the middle of Pensacola Beach.
Grab breakfast or lunch, spend some time on the sand or use the afternoon to get on the water.
Parasailing, jet ski rentals and dolphin cruises are all easy ways to turn the morning race into a full beach day.
Book Pensacola Beach parasailing
Book a Pensacola Beach jet ski
Book a Frisky Mermaid dolphin cruise
What to Know Before You Go
Saturday, October 3
Race start: 7 AM
Casino Beach
20 Casino Beach Blvd.
Pensacola Beach
The race is scheduled to begin at 7 AM, with transition opening at 5:30 AM and awards scheduled for 10:30 AM.
If you are not participating, expect heavier than normal traffic and activity around Casino Beach Saturday morning.
For more local events happening this week, check the Must Do Pensacola Events Calendar.
Looking for more things to do while you are on Pensacola Beach? Browse our Best Things to Do in Pensacola guide.
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