Athletes tested their strength and endurance at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area on Saturday, Jan. 24 in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend. The two-day event, which kicks off Spartan’s 2026 season, featured 5K, 10K and 21K races with obstacles. Children also competed in a kids’ race. Competition continues Sunday. Jon Ward, a resident of Riverview, Florida, takes part Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Mecaila Loya, of Menifee, participates in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Participants compete in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Kids take part in a 1K obstacle course on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Nick Brown of Rancho Cordova, participates in an obstacle course as part of the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Kids take part in a 1K obstacle course on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) John Bajorek from Ladera Ranch, takes part in the Beast obstacle course on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Participants take part in the Beast obstacle course on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Los Angeles resident Sarena Robles participates in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Kids start their 1K obstacle race on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Perris resident Randi Rahn takes part in SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Bryan Hall, of Temecula, takes part Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in an obstacle course at the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 12Jon Ward, a resident of Riverview, Florida, takes part Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in the SoCal Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer) Expand Spartan bills itself as the world’s largest obstacle course race with more than 250 events in 40-plus countries on six continents. “Southern California has always been a heartland for the Spartan community, and Lake Perris provides the perfect backdrop to set the tone for the 2026 season,” Joe De Sena, Spartan founder and CEO, said in a news release. Related Articles California Credit Union Foundation offers scholarships to Southern California students Temecula Valley Rose Society, National Charity League collaborate on composting project ‘Accelerating Universe and the Hubble Tension’ to be topic for Riverside Astronomical Society Meet Riverside County’s best educators of 2026 Game Changers Leadership Institute gets grant to help elevate its mission ...read more read less