Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City by the Sea will host two special events, the Long Beach Biathlon and the Waterfront Warriors 5K, on the beach later this month.
The biathlon, on July 19, is one of a series of 10 races held from February through November and known as the Long Beach Race Series. The courses change depending on the events, which range from 10-kilometer runs to 150-yard sprints followed by 400-yard swims in the ocean.
Joe Brand, the city’s parks commissioner, and Matt Kohut, superintendent of its recreation department, noted the importance of upholding the tradition of both the biathlon and the race series.
“Maintaining this race means maintaining the tradition for the Beach Patrol and Long Beach residents,” Kohut said, adding that the biathlon pays tribute to the Long Beach Patrol, the city’s staff of lifeguards.
Asked about the tradition of the Race Series, Brand explained that the goal is “to try and return it to its previous glory,” because there has been a decline in the number of participants in recent years.
Long Beach’s 44th annual biathlon — last year’s event was canceled because of hazardous surf conditions — will attract athletes of all ages to what many consider a beloved summer tradition. Kohut described the biathlon as “a family event that people should know about.”
The event features three course options tailored to different age groups. Children ages 7 to 12 will complete a half-mile run followed by a 50-yard shallow swim. Participants ages 13 to 15 will tackle a 1-mile run and a 150-yard swim. Adults will take on the most demanding course, a 3-mile run and a 300-yard swim. The event promises a day of athleticism, community spirit and beachside fun for participants and spectators alike.
With events taking place in the ocean, Kohut emphasized the city’s commitment to safety, especially for younger competitors. “It’s super safe — 20 lifeguards form a horseshoe around the kids to ensure their safety while in the water,” he explained.
Awards will be given to the top five boys and girls, or men and women, in each race. And all children ages 7 to 15 will receive awards.
Registration and check-in will take place from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. on July 19 on Riverside Boulevard Beach. The children and young-adult races will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the adult race will begin a half hour later.
Waterfront 5K
The following day, the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors and the city will join forces to host the 18th annual Waterfront Warriors 5K Run/Walk.
In-person registration for the run will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., and participants can pick up race bibs at Long Beach Catholic Regional School, at 735 W. Broadway. The run and walk will take place on the boardwalk, starting at 8 a.m. between New York and Grand boulevards.
Afterward, the Warrior Parade will get under way at 3 p.m. Military veterans and members of the New York Fire Riders will escort military families down West Beech Street in convertibles provided by Long Beach residents. The parade will begin at Ohio Avenue and end at Long Beach Catholic Regional, with a barbecue to follow.
Both the race and the parade reflect the commitment of the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors to honor and aid wounded, ill and injured veterans and their families.
Jerry Snell, a Long Beach resident who serves as a co-chair of the Waterfront Warriors, noted the organization’s goals. “We have a chance to give back,” Snell said, “and we’ll continue to do it for as long as we can.”
The Waterfront Warriors were founded in 2009, with a mission to share the beauty and hospitality of Long Beach with the brave men and women who have served the country. Each year the group welcomes visiting veterans and their families, offering them a well-deserved break filled with relaxation and community appreciation.
Activities include fishing trips, beach days, visits to New York City and dinners at local restaurants. Beyond leisure, the Waterfront Warriors have also provided support through medical treatment and temporary housing assistance for veterans in need.
For more information on the biathlon, go to Events.EliteFeats.com/LBbiathlon25. More info on the Waterfront 5K and parade can be found at LongBeachny.gov.
