USA Triathlon and Long Beach officials announced today that a triathlon will be held annually beginning in 2019 at the city’s Alamitos Beach, with the event eventually expanding to a two-day “multisport” festival.

Alamitos Beach is near the proposed location of triathlon competitions in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the new Legacy Triathlon is being billed as a sporting lead-up to the Games.

“As the first National Governing Body in the U.S. Olympic family to bring a new annual event to the Los Angeles footprint ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, USA Triathlon is building its legacy before, rather than after, the Games,” USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris said in a statement.

“Starting today, we are proudly giving back to the local multisport community in Southern California—the birthplace of triathlon—and building the foundation of what will become an international destination race for years to come.”

The inaugural Legacy Triathlon is scheduled for July 20, 2019. Organizers said the inaugural competition will be an age-group race with up to 750 competitors. The event will include a 750-meter swim, 18.9-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run. Registration is already open online at www.thelegacytriathlon.com.

Organizers said the event will eventually expand into a two-day festival including amateur and elite racing. The elite competition will begin as an International Triathlon Union Triathlon World Cup and ultimately become part of the ITU World Triathlon Series.

“We are excited to welcome USA Triathlon to Long Beach,” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “Today, we marked the beginning of a great partnership that will lead up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is going to be a historical moment for our city.”