Bob Babbitt Inducted Into USAT Hall Of Fame
Bob Babbitt and five other triathlon pioneers were inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame on Thursday night in San Diego, Calif.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Competitor Group’s Bob Babbitt and five other triathlon pioneers were inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame on Thursday night in San Diego, Calif.
Three of triathlon’s Big Four, two key contributors and a top age-grouper were formally inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame on Thursday at the Bahia Resort Hotel.
A sold-out crowd of nearly 300 friends, family members and multisport dignitaries gathered to honor the six inductees.
Plenty of the sport’s biggest names were in attendance, including Dave Scott, the first member of the Big Four inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, and two-time Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack. Even Lance Armstrong, who had planned to attend the event, delivered a video message for the inductees. “Truth is, a triathlete won the Tour de France seven times,” Armstrong said.
“It was an amazing night,” said Chuck Graziano, chair of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Committee. “This was an incredible experience watching all six of the inductees tell stories that take everyone in the room back and show that these inductees have really shaped where the sport is today.”
Bob Babbitt
Babbitt has helped push the sport of triathlon to new heights through a myriad of contributions over the past 25 years. His work in the world of multisport media began when he co-founded Competitor magazine in 1987 and helped launch Competitor Radio in 1990.
Babbitt spoke of his first Ironman and the nutrition his crew provided during the race, including a Big Mac, fries and a Coke. “I thought this would take me two days. I had no idea I could do it in one day,” Babbitt said. “So I thought, ‘there’s going to be a band. There’s going to be all sorts of people cheering for us at the finish. This is a pretty impactful event.’ Instead there’s chalk on the road and a light bulb. I hear this voice: ‘hey you, you in the race? You’re done.'”