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Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where part of the 70.3 Oceanside bike trail is located, is currently operating at the Bravo+ safety level. What does this mean for the athletes racing on March 28?
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where part of the 70.3 Oceanside bike trail is located, is currently operating at the Bravo+ safety level. What does this mean for the athletes racing on March 28? (Photo: Donald Merall/Iron Man)
Updated March 6, 2026 at 12:51 p.m
For many athletes, the allure of racing Ironman 70.3 Oceanside In Southern California it’s not the ocean swim or the palm tree jog, it’s the bike: specifically, the riding part Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. It’s a feature that requires diligent work by race organizers, Navy leadership and city officials to ensure access to the secure military facility.
But the United States also participates War with IranWill this access or safety be compromised? The answer, according to Camp Pendleton representatives, is no — for now.
“Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is Currently working In a force protection (FPCON) Bravo+ situation,” says 2nd Lt. Natalia K. Rhodes of Communications and Operations Strategy at Camp Pendleton. Triathlete. “This position reflects a sustained and appropriate level of vigilance based on ongoing threat assessments. Given the current FPCON level, there will be no impact to Ironman Oceanside 70.3.”
“Bravo” is the third level of the United States The Department of Defense’s five-level security classification systemranked from “normal” (routine, general threats) to “delta” (imminent or completed terrorist attack). In other words, Camp Pendleton is currently operating at a high threat level, but not yet at a potential attack level.
At a 70.3 Oceanside event last year, Camp Pendleton was on FPCON Bravo, and the latest change to Bravo+ was officially announced on March 3, along with the suspension of the base’s Trusted Traveler program, according to Marine Corps Communications.
Force Protection Conditions (FPCONs) at Camp Pendleton, host of Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
says Rhodes Triathlete “Any adjustment to FPCON levels will be determined by ongoing evaluation of reliable intelligence, local conditions, War Department guidance, and direction from U.S. Northern Command.” “The safety and security of Marines, Sailors, civilian personnel, families and the surrounding community remains a top priority,” she adds.
Arriving at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton during Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
Camp Pendleton has been a staple of the Oceanside 70.3 route since the inaugural race in 2000. Although the race was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of the Marine Corps base never forced the cancellation or rerouting of the bike route.
Even without an active war, 70.3 Oceanside has an extra layer of safety and security due to its route through Camp Pendleton. Spectators are not permitted on the base on race day, as this section of the bike course is closed to the public to ensure security. Athletes are also not permitted to pre-ride the Camp Pendleton portion of the course in the days leading up to the race.
In addition, athletes must wear their official bike numbers so that security personnel can clearly identify them. Although the 2026 racing rules for Oceanside have not yet been released, Past editions It stated, “Athletes must wear their IRONMAN 70.3 bib number on their back, clearly visible, at all times on the bike course.”
Athletes are also screened through a mandatory in-person check-in, which allows for identity verification. For more on the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside course, check out Andy Potts’s Race Recon article: Everything you need to know about the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside course.
