Race of Three Sports
Barry Bird
The sport of Triathlon, where did it begin? We've all probably read the historical stories in Triathlon books that it all began in America amongst the trend setting, blue eyed blond beach community.
The birth of Triathlon is generally attributed to Navy Commander John Collins after a 'discussion' in Honolulu in 1977, about who had the greater fitness levels runners, cyclists or swimmers. As result of his 'discussion' a competition was devised comprising of the 2.4-mile Waikiki rough water swim, the 112 round Oahu cycle race and the 26.2-mile Honolulu marathon. Any finisher would earn the title 'Ironman'. A year later 12 people finished the first Ironman Triathlon and the sport was born, but was it? Scott Tinley (former Ironman champion) disputes the origins and suggests that Triathlon began in San Diego in 1974. Supposedly to break the monotony of run training the San Diego Track Club included swimming and cycling into their sessions at Mission Bay, Fiesta Island. But is this cross training or Triathlon, did they race? Surely even prior to 1974 there were others 'cross training'.
Triathlon may well be older than this; an article I read many years ago seems to dispute these theories and credits the creation of Triathlon with the French back in 1921. The article was in Triathlete magazine in March 1993 and gave an account of Course des Trois Sports ('the race of three sports') held in Marseille 1921.
John McBride a computer analyst and triathlete from Austin Texas recalls his Grandfathers interests in sports, particularly the ones that make up Triathlon. His grandfather was a French immigrant who showed him a black and white postcard; the picture was taken on the steps of the swim club Petit Pavillion in Marseille. The picture was of a group of people mostly in swimsuits and the inscription read 'Course des Trois Sports'. The race started at Place Castellane, south of the old Port, in the centre of town by the fountain, there were 15 to 20 competitors. First they cycled along Avenue du Prado for five kilometres around Point du Prado to a sign in table. There the run started along the Corniche Road to the pool at Petit Pavillion, about five kilometres. From there it was down the steps and into the Mediterranean for 100 metres to a buoy and back again to the finish on the beach.
Was 1921 the earliest?
