The 40th Anniversary Triathlon
The Triathlon Club of San Diego held a fine event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the very first triathlon held on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay, San Diego. Entry was free to the first 150 who signed up online, plus the first 50 who showed up at 7:05 AM on Thursday September 25, 2014. If you wanted some fine commemorative gear, you paid $20.
Don Shanahan, one of the original four members of the San Diego Track Club who put on the first event, was there. As were first participants John and Judy Collins, the Ironman co-founders, and Wally Buckingham, who finished second. Russ Jones, who won the 2nd and 3rd triathlons held at Fiesta Island, was there looking like he stepped out of the Fountain of Youth. And Mike Plant, author of “Iron Will” and a pioneer triathlon journalist and race announcer, called the race.
And closing the circle were three USA national elites — Joe Maloy, Jason Pedersen and Eric Lagerstrom – who showed everyone what 40 years of evolution can do for finish times.
All photographs © Rich Cruse.
Julie Moss and Kathleen McCartney-Hearst were among the 200 triathletes to finish the commemorative sprint distance event on Thursday, 25 September 2014.
Photographer Rich Cruse captured some of the pre-dawn beauty of Mission Bay.
Setting up the finish line.
The transition area with the lagoon in the background.
The sign-up table.
Mike Plant, author of “Iron Will” and a pioneer triathlon announcer, was there to call the action.
Russ Jones, who won the 2nd and 3rd triathlons in Mission Bay, was ready to rumble and looked none the worse for wear after 40 years of swim-bike-run.
Russ Jones’ well-preserved bike, the very one he rode in 1975, was back in action as well.
Swim, bike and run course maps for the 2014 event. The original event had several more short swim and run segments.
The start!
Camaraderie on the run.
USA elite Joe Maloy leads the run.
A strong young triathlete on a sleek new bike.
Maloy hits the third leg – the swim.
Maloy finishes the 4-mile run, 10- mile bike, 750-yard swim, half-mile run in 56:32.
Don Shanahan, in purple polo shirt, one of the original four founders of the first triathlon, chats with a competitor.
Holding the 40th anniversary towel that all competitors received.
Left to right: Jason Pedersen, Ironman co-founder John Collins, Eric Lagerstrom, Ironman co-founder Judy Collins, Julie Moss, Joe Maloy and Kathleen McCartney-Hearst.
Left to right: Mike Plant, Kathleen McCartney-Hearst, Bob Babbitt, Julie Moss, Wally Buckingham (who finished 2nd in the first triathlon).
A team picture of a beautiful 40th anniversary celebration at the Ground Zero of Triathlon.
