50 MOMENTS THAT SHAPED TRI

It's 50 years since the modern-day sport of triathlon was born. To celebrate multisport's birthday, here we reveal the 50 most seismic events since 1974 including legendary wins and mighty upsets, rule changes, spats, famous faces and more...

- MATT BAIRD, LIZ BARRETT

01 MODERN TRI IS BORN

1974

There’s evidence of swim, bike and run multisport (not necessarily in that order) taking place in 1920’s France, but the first modern triathlon event was held in San Diego, California, on 25 September 1974. The race was conceived by two members of the San Diego Track Club, Jack Johnstone and Don Shanahan, whose names would become etched in tri history.

02 IRONMAN DEBUTS

1978

Organised by US Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy, Ironman Hawaii was first staged on 18 February 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Fifteen male athletes started, with US triathlete Gordon Haller becoming the first Ironman finisher after 11:46:58 of racing. A further 11 athletes would cross the finish line, each being rewarded with a handmade trophy.

03 WIDE WORLD IN MOTION

1980

American cable channel ABC recorded their first Wide World of Sports programme at Ironman Hawaii in 1980. A Californian named Dave Scott took his first of six Ironman world titles and thousands of aspiring triathletes were motivated to race in Hawaii. Including a student named Julie Moss…

04 MOSS CRAWLS

1982

Arguably Ironman’s most defining moment came in 1982, when college graduate Julie Moss crawled up the Kona finish line to claim second in front of the ABC cameras. Far from turning people away from the gruelling swim, bike and run format, Moss’s heroic efforts vividly captured the essence and attraction of endurance sport.

05 NICE TIME

1982