Preparations are underway for the annual Morro Bay Triathlon, with hundreds of people set to descend on Coleman Park this Sunday.

“They blow the horn and you start in the water, it’s a thermal shock and you swim as fast as you can. Everyone goes for the buoy and it’s a big adrenaline rush the whole way,” said triathlon participant Nick Schaefer.

This year, in its 13th year, approximately 750 people are expected to participate in the Morro Bay Triathlon.

This will be Schaefer’s second year competing. He says his favorite part of the triathlon is the swimming.

“We usually swim along the pier and there is a lot of marine life in this protected bay,” Schaefer said.

He says he starts training months in advance.

“I usually do three swims, three bikes, three runs every week, so about 10 to 14 hours of training a week, early in the morning,” Schaefer said.

The swim and kayak portion of the race will begin at Coleman Beach, followed by a bike ride along Highway 1, along Morro Bay Beach to Morro Rock to the finish line at Coleman Beach .

“We will have help there with the flaggers. There will be a lot of athletes along that dirt road going north on the Embarcadero past Coleman Beach, so be aware of that as you enter town,” said Sgt. Grant Hasselbach, Morro Bay Police Department.

Although there will be no road closures, drivers should prepare for more congestion along Highway 1 and in the area leading to Morro Rock.

The triathlon courses encompass the same areas, with the Olympic course being 32 miles and the sprint course being 16 miles.

“I think Morro Bay is such a special place. This time of year, with the fog gone, you get a cold, crisp morning,” Schaefer said.

The Morro Bay Triathlon will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Coleman Park.