Triathlon Celebrates 40 Years In San Diego
This morning, the Triathlon Club of San Diego held a special event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first-ever triathlon.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
This morning, the Triathlon Club of San Diego held a special event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first-ever triathlon. The first race was put on by the San Diego Track Club on Sept. 25, 1974, on Fiesta Island, and a group of more than 200 athletes returned to Fiesta Island to participate in a 4-mile run, 10-mile bike ride, 750-yard swim and a half-mile beach run.
The participants were introduced to several legends of the sport, including Don Shanahan, who founded the first triathlon in 1974; Russ Jones, who won the second and third running of the event (1975 and 1976); USAT Hall of Fame inductees Jon Noll, Scott Tinley, Jim Curl, Bob Babbitt, Ironman founders John and Judy Collins, legendary triathlon journalist Mike Plant, and the Ironman icons Kathleen McCartney (Hearst) and Julie Moss, who helped put Ironman on the map. U.S. pro triathletes Joe Maloy, Eric Lagerstrom and Jason Pedersen participated in the event. To add to the fun, 2014 Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi came running by doing mile repeats near the end of the event, much to the delight of the crowd.