# Origins and the Early Years · Triathlon Level 9: Master

Triathlon · Level 9: Master · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/triathlon/level-9/origins-and-the-early-years/)

Origins and the Early Years in Triathlon (Level 9: Master) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: mission bay, 1974; and more.

How the sport began: Mission Bay 1974, the birth of Ironman, the first boom years and television, the move to Kona, Julie Moss and 1982, triathlon in Europe, the standard distance and the first world championships, the early technology pioneers, the Big Four and Iron War.

## Test 1: Mission Bay, 1974

- The event took place on 25 September 1974 at Mission Bay. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Johnstone and Shanahan, both San Diego Track Club members, combined their ideas into one event. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- The course was set around Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Some 46 athletes took part in the first event. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Rather than three single legs, the race switched between running, cycling and swimming several times. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- John Collins and his wife Judy raced at Mission Bay; he went on to create Ironman in 1978. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- It was among the first events billed as a "triathlon" in the US, and it inspired Collins to create Ironman. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- French events in the early twentieth century, sometimes called "les trois sports", mixed running, cycling and a water leg. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- The San Diego Track Club supported the event, which grew out of its members' cross-training. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- The race began as a fun way for runners to cross-train and test themselves in other sports. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))

## Test 2: The Birth of Ironman

- The first Ironman took place on 18 February 1978. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Collins was a Navy commander based in Honolulu. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- At an awards night, athletes debated which sport produced the fittest athletes; Collins proposed combining three island races. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Fifteen men started and twelve finished. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Twelve of the fifteen starters reached the finish. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Gordon Haller, a Navy communications specialist, won in 11:46:58. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Haller finished in 11:46:58. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- The instructions read: "Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!" (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Collins declared that whoever finished first would be called "the Iron Man". (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- There were no aid stations as today; each athlete relied on a personal support crew. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

## Test 3: 1979-1980: From Curiosity to Television

- Lyn Lemaire, a cyclist from Boston, finished fifth overall in 1979. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- She finished fifth overall among the small field. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Tom Warren, a San Diego bar owner, won in 1979. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Stormy conditions forced the start to be postponed by a day. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- McDermott's Sports Illustrated story led hundreds of athletes to ask about entering. (Source: McDermott, Sports Illustrated, May 1979)
- The field grew to around 108 starters in 1980. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- ABC's Wide World of Sports began covering the race in 1980. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Dave Scott won in 9:24:33, nearly two hours faster than the previous record. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Robin Beck was the women's winner in 1980. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Collins passed the event to Nautilus fitness-centre owner Hank Grundman and his wife Valerie Silk. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

## Test 4: The Move to Kona and the Silk Years

- The 1981 race was the first on the Big Island, based in Kailua-Kona. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Growing numbers and heavy traffic around Honolulu raised safety and permit concerns. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Kailua-Kona hosts the swim start in the bay and the finish on Ali'i Drive. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- John Howard, an Olympic cyclist, won the first Kona edition. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Linda Sweeney was the 1981 women's champion. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Valerie Silk directed the race from the early 1980s and grew it into a global event. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Ophthalmologist James Gills bought the rights and formed the World Triathlon Corporation. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- WTC owned the Ironman brand and races from 1990. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- The Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway crosses black lava fields that radiate heat and funnel crosswinds. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- As licensed Ironman races spread abroad, most places came through qualifying slots, plus a small lottery. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

## Test 5: 1982: Julie Moss and Two Ironmans

- Leading close to the finish, Moss collapsed repeatedly and crawled towards the line on live television. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Kathleen McCartney overtook her in the final metres and won. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- McCartney finished 29 seconds ahead. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Moss entered as part of her exercise physiology studies, not as a trained professional. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Mark Allen cited the broadcast as an inspiration; he later married Moss. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- The date moved to October from 1982, so there was a February and an October edition. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Dave Scott won the October 1982 edition, his second title. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Julie Leach won the women's race in October 1982. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Ingraham and Welch collapsed near the line and crawled to fourth and fifth, echoing Moss's 1982 finish. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- The image of refusing to quit became central to Ironman's appeal to ordinary athletes. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

## Test 6: Triathlon Spreads to Europe

- Nice held its first international triathlon in 1982 and became a key early professional race. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Allen won Nice ten times, a record that shaped his reputation before his Kona wins. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Nice attracted top athletes with prize money and broadcasting when few races did. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Roth hosted Ironman Europe from 1988 until 2001. (Source: Challenge Roth, History (challenge-roth.com))
- The Walchshofer family ended the licence and launched Challenge Roth under their own brand. (Source: Challenge Roth, History (challenge-roth.com))
- Embrunman in the Hautes-Alpes has been held since 1984 and is known for its mountainous bike course. (Source: Embrunman, History (embrunman.com))
- Zofingen has hosted a long-distance duathlon since 1989, later the Powerman world championship. (Source: Powerman Zofingen, History (powerman.ch))
- Ironman Lanzarote began in 1992 and is known for wind and volcanic terrain. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Nice has hosted IRONMAN France since 2005, building on its long triathlon tradition. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Races such as Nice, Roth and Embrun grew as independent events with their own crowds and character. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))

## Test 7: The Standard Distance and the First World Championships

- Jim Curl and Carl Thomas founded the USTS, staging shorter races around the country. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Curl and Thomas built the first national series of short triathlons. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- The USTS popularised what became the standard (later Olympic) distance. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- The ITU was founded at a congress in Avignon in 1989. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- Mark Allen won the inaugural world title in Avignon. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- New Zealand's Erin Baker won the first women's world title. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- Canadian Les McDonald led the ITU from 1989 to 2008. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- Drafting was allowed in elite ITU racing from 1995, shaping the Olympic format. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- A race of under two hours fits Olympic scheduling and television. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- The World Cup series started in 1991, giving elite athletes a regular international circuit. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))

## Test 8: Early Technology Pioneers

- Empfield's Quintana Roo wetsuit was the first built for triathletes. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Empfield's Superform had a steep seat angle designed for the aero position. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Moving the rider forward keeps the hip angle open when low on aero bars. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Lennon, a ski coach, designed aero bars sold by Scott. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- LeMond used aero bars in the final time trial to overturn Laurent Fignon's lead. (Source: Tour de France official history (letour.fr))
- Look's clipless pedal, used by Bernard Hinault, replaced toe clips in racing. (Source: Look Cycle, History (lookcycle.com))
- Polar introduced wireless heart rate monitoring in the early 1980s. (Source: Polar, History (polar.com))
- Schoberer's SRM crank was the first widely used cycling power meter. (Source: SRM, History (srm.de))
- The buoyancy advantage led organisers to regulate wetsuit use by water temperature and thickness. (Source: World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org))
- Early competitors used standard road bikes, often with toe clips and no aero equipment. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

## Test 9: The Big Four of the 1980s

- The four dominated professional triathlon through the decade. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Dave Scott was known simply as "The Man". (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Allen was called "The Grip" for his mental hold on races. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Molina's relentless racing earned him the name "The Terminator". (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Molina won the Ironman World Championship in 1988. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Tinley won the February 1982 race and again in 1985. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Dave Scott won six Ironman world titles between 1980 and 1987. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Their battles turned triathlon into a professional sport with sponsors and coverage. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- Tinley became a writer and academic, publishing works on the sport's history. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))
- California, especially the San Diego area, was the centre of early professional triathlon. (Source: Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008))

## Test 10: Iron War, 1989

- Allen and Scott raced side by side for almost the entire day. (Source: Fitzgerald, Iron War (2011))
- They were together through the bike and most of the marathon until Allen pulled away in the final miles. (Source: Fitzgerald, Iron War (2011))
- Allen finished in 8:09:15, a course record. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Scott finished in 8:10:13, 58 seconds behind. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Allen's 2:40:04 marathon stood as a Kona run record for many years. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Allen surged on the Palani climb in the final miles and Scott could not respond. (Source: Fitzgerald, Iron War (2011))
- Allen had tried and failed to win Kona six times before his breakthrough. (Source: Fitzgerald, Iron War (2011))
- Fitzgerald's 2011 book tells the story of the race and the two athletes. (Source: Fitzgerald, Iron War (2011))
- Allen won five in a row from 1989 to 1993 and a sixth in 1995. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))
- Scott placed second behind Greg Welch, a remarkable result at 40. (Source: IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com))

Sources: Official histories and results of IRONMAN, World Triathlon and the IOC, with established histories of the sport

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