The History of Triathlon and How it Impacts All of Us

Welcome to Hilary Topper on Air, a 12-year-old podcast that helps you grow both personally and professionally.  I’m Hilary topper, and today we’re exploring "The Evolution of Triathlon: From Origins to Impact." Whether you're a seasoned triathlete or just curious about this fascinating sport, there's something here for you.

 

Let's kick off with a personal anecdote. Did you know that I never even thought about a triathlon until 2014, when I went to Sanibel Florida and the Tourism director told me about the Captiva Triathlon? Who would have thought that 10+ years later, I would be addicted. Today, we'll uncover that story.

Host: Let’s wind back the clock to the 1970s. It all began in sunny Southern California, where a group of friends wanted to settle an argument about who was the fittest athlete. This led to the creation of the first triathlon in 1974. But the real game-changer came in 1978 with the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, founded by U.S. Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy. The event transformed overnight into a global phenomenon, challenging athletes to conquer the formidable swim, bike, and run.

The Ironman wasn’t just a race; it was a test of human endurance and willpower, drawing competitors from around the world and setting the stage for the triathlon’s future growth.

Before we go any further, I want to thank our sponsors: The Russo Law Group, they are an amazing group of lawyers who really care about you and protecting your assets. Go to VJRussolaw.com. Vimazi, the shoes I love to train and race in. I’ve been really loving their walking shoe lately as well. Go to Vimazi.com and check out my website at ATriathletesDiary for a special discount code of 20% off!!!  Medi-Dyne, is an incredible company for all your injury prevention and pain relief products. I also have a discount code of 20% off for them as well! And, Playtri, your multisport specialists for all your triathlon needs. They have so many opportunities for franchising. If you love the sport of triathlon, check out Playtri.com and learn more about opportunities to get your own shop.

The 1980s and 1990s were pivotal for triathlon. As the sport gained momentum, media coverage helped propel it into the limelight. Televised events showcased the grit and determination of athletes, captivating audiences globally. Sponsorships poured in, and triathlons began sprouting up worldwide. Iconic events like the Nice Triathlon and the World Triathlon Championships played a significant role in its popularity. It wasn't long before triathlon became synonymous with endurance and athletic excellence.

I think it was in 1982 when Julie Moss competed in the Ironman Triathlon for her college senior research project. She competed in a grueling 140.6 mile combination of swimming, biking and running in one event. She was in the lead. At fifteen feet from the finish line, she watched her rival pass her and thirty seconds later, she crawled across the finish line. Inspiring millions of people. 

I hadn’t heard about Julie back then, but as soon as I started getting into the sport of triathlon, I quickly learned about her story and eventually read her book, Crawl of Fame. And, if you haven’t read it, you should. It’s a great book about motivation and inspiration.

Triathlon’s accessibility also expanded, with local races encouraging more people to participate, further cementing its place in the sports world.

When I started in triathlons in 2015, I was not an athlete by any means. I cut gym. I wasn’t athletic. But the thought of doing something that was so outside my wheelhouse, made me excited. And, after that first triathlon in Captiva, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough of them. The thought of swimming, which I had to learn from scratch, biking, which I also had to learn from scratch, and running, which I knew very little about, thrilled me.

It wasn’t until I put the whole thing together that I realized that triathlons are much bigger than all of us and they need to be respected. A lot of people think, oh what’s the big deal and they sign up for a half or a full ironman, and then they realize that it’s not an easy feat.

Gwen Jorgensen was and still is my hero as well as Julie. Gwen won the 2016 Olympics for triathlon. That was so incredibly exciting, watching her fly through this sport. I think that she also pushed her boundaries and showed the world that anyone can do this, despite the fears. In my new book, which will be coming out in 2025, I interviewed Gwen and she told me about a fear that she had on the bike. I have a similar fear. By talking with her and reading her book, Gwen Jorgensen: USA's First Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete by Meyer & Meyer Sport Publisher, you will be elighted by her. She talks about how she went on a motorcycle fast down a mountain and that helped her. It also helped me by just reading about it.

The rise of triathlon has had a profound impact on the fitness community. It’s not just about competing; it’s about transformation. Triathlon clubs have emerged everywhere, fostering camaraderie and support among athletes. The sport has inspired new training methodologies and even lifestyle changes.

But I do want to make note here that not all triathlons are associated with Ironman. There are so many amazing race companies out there including EventPowerLI, EpicRaces, Alpha Win, Integrity Multisport and the list goes on and on.

Don’t poo poo the smaller races. They are tough and they are inspiring as well. Once you do a sprint triathlon, you are a triathlete. You don’t have to do an Ironman or Half Ironman to be a triathlete.

I can’t tell you how many people find out I am a triathlete and the first question they ask me is “did you do an ironman?”

The other thing to note here, is that many of these smaller race companies do put on 70.3 races and also 140.6 races. These races are known as half distance and full distance races, especially if they are not Ironman branded.

It’s amazing when I go to the open water and see so many familiar faces. Or, when I go to an event, I feel like it’s a big party. I know so many people and people I don’t know, I meet either in transition or on the course or even at the after party. It’s so amazing to feel so connected with these folks.

The other thing that is incredible is that professional triathletes are approachable. I have friends who swam in the Olympics and friends who have competed in Kona as a professional triathlete. It’s pretty cool that you have that opportunity to talk with so many amazing people in this sport.

I have also read so many amazing books on people who have transformed their entire lives by doing a triathlon and realizing that anything is possible.

When you do a triathlon or any endurance event, you push beyond your limits and discover your true potential.

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Fast forward to today, and triathlon is more dynamic than ever. Technology plays a huge role, with advanced gear and apps helping athletes optimize their performance. Social media has connected the global triathlon community, allowing for the sharing of tips, stories, and support. Triathlon is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle millions embrace.

I love looking at strava and seeing what my friends and acquaintances have done. It’s inspiring to me.

 As we look to the future, triathlon will continue evolving, shaping the fitness landscape in exciting ways.

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As we wrap up, let’s recap the fascinating journey of triathlon. From humble beginnings in the 1970s to its current status as a global sporting phenomenon, triathlon’s evolution is a testament to human endurance and passion. We encourage you to share your own triathlon experiences or aspirations with us. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll dive into [tease next episode topic].

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Outro:

Host: Thank you for tuning in to Hilary Topper on Air. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Connect with us on social media to keep the conversation going. Also, if you have a topic in mind, please let me know at [email protected]. That’s Hilary with one “L”. Until next time, keep pushing your limits and discovering new adventures.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Vimazi, Medi-Dyne, And, Playtri. Go to my website at ATriathletesDiary.com and click on discounts to get discounts. My cover page has all of the sponsors there and you can find out more about each one of them there.

If you want more information on the show, visit our new website, hilarytopper.com or find us on Spotify, iTunes or Google Play. Have a great week and we’ll see you next time…