SlowbutSteady
05-16-07, 08:21 AM
I'm new to triathlons, I know the Iron Man Distance started in Kona, Hawaii, but where and when did the first sprint, olympic and international distance triathlons begin?
Triathlon - Birth of Triathlon
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : Birth of Triathlon
Triguy
05-16-07, 09:51 AM
I suggest seaking out the most recent issue of USAT magazine. They outline the beginnings of triathlon.
Sprocket Man
05-16-07, 03:57 PM
I'm new to triathlons, I know the Iron Man Distance started in Kona, Hawaii, but where and when did the first sprint, olympic and international distance triathlons begin?
The Ironman distance originated in the state of Hawaii, but not in Kona. It actually began on Oahu. It eventually got too big for Oahu and was moved to Kona on the Big Island.
The Ironman distance originated in the state of Hawaii, but not in Kona. It actually began on Oahu. It eventually got too big for Oahu and was moved to Kona on the Big Island.
SlowbutSteady
05-16-07, 11:45 PM
Thanks for the info, although I don't have the latest copy of USAT Magazine, I was able to find some things, . Here are some of the highlights for anyone who's interested. (don't know how acurate the info is, this is just what I've read)
Between 1920-1930s France hosted a race called "Les Trois Sports" with a 200m channel crossing, 10km bike, and a 1200m run.
Since then, little has been heard about a triathlon until 1974 in Mission Bay, San Diego, California, where the first modern day triathlon began.
1974, Sept. 25th Mission Bay Triathlon, is known as the first triathlon event, by the San Diego Track Club. John Collins was one of the participants who helped to bring the triathlon concept to Hawaii by combining together three of Oahu's endurance events, Waikiki Rough Water Swim, Around - Oahu Bike Ride, and the Honolulu Marathon, which is now known as the Ironman Event.
1978, February 18th, the first Ironman race began with 12 people finishing the race with the winning time of 11hrs 46min and 58 sec. by Gordon Haller.
1989, April, Twenty Five nations formed the International Triathlon Union, which was one of the first steps to gain acceptance by the International Olympic Committee to have the triathlon integrated into the Olympic Program.
1994, July 24th the first Goodwill Games Triathlon was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
1994, September, Triathlon was named to the Olympic Program as a medal sport for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
sources
http://www.usatriathlon.org/MultiSport101/HistoryOfSport.aspx
http://www.usatriathlon.org/sitecore/content/Secondary/AboutUSAT/History.aspx
http://www.ironman.com/mediacenter/history/ironman-triathlon-world-championship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triathlon
Between 1920-1930s France hosted a race called "Les Trois Sports" with a 200m channel crossing, 10km bike, and a 1200m run.
Since then, little has been heard about a triathlon until 1974 in Mission Bay, San Diego, California, where the first modern day triathlon began.
1974, Sept. 25th Mission Bay Triathlon, is known as the first triathlon event, by the San Diego Track Club. John Collins was one of the participants who helped to bring the triathlon concept to Hawaii by combining together three of Oahu's endurance events, Waikiki Rough Water Swim, Around - Oahu Bike Ride, and the Honolulu Marathon, which is now known as the Ironman Event.
1978, February 18th, the first Ironman race began with 12 people finishing the race with the winning time of 11hrs 46min and 58 sec. by Gordon Haller.
1989, April, Twenty Five nations formed the International Triathlon Union, which was one of the first steps to gain acceptance by the International Olympic Committee to have the triathlon integrated into the Olympic Program.
1994, July 24th the first Goodwill Games Triathlon was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
1994, September, Triathlon was named to the Olympic Program as a medal sport for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia
sources
http://www.usatriathlon.org/MultiSport101/HistoryOfSport.aspx
http://www.usatriathlon.org/sitecore/content/Secondary/AboutUSAT/History.aspx
http://www.ironman.com/mediacenter/history/ironman-triathlon-world-championship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triathlon