Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California San Diego Birthplace of Modern Triathlon
AO Edited

Birthplace of Modern Triathlon

In September 1974, a small group of athletes completed the first modern triathlon event in San Diego's Mission Bay.

San Diego, California

Added By
Robert Pakko
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Lookout from plaque, featuring Fiesta Island across the water to the left, where most of the race took place.   RobertPakko / Atlas Obscura User
Close-up of the plaque   RobertPakko / Atlas Obscura User
Mission Bay   Sebastian Wallroth / CC BY-SA 4.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This unassuming island in Mission Bay was the site of the first triathlon in 1974. The idea itself was more of a happy accident than anything. In 1973, San Diego math teacher Jack Johnstone competed in a run-swim biathlon. He enjoyed it enough that he thought there should be more races like it across the country. He approached Bill Stock, the Chairman of the San Diego Track Club, with the idea of having a San Diego biathlon.

Don Shanahan, who wanted to have a run-bike biathlon, had also been in contact with Stock. Hoping to reduce the number of "weird" races popping up on the calendar, Stock urged the two men to combine their ideas. Though Johnstone did not own or ride a bike, he went for the idea anyways. Their combined event took place on September 25, 1974—the birthday of the modern triathlon.

The entry fee was $1, and it consisted of a three-mile run, five-mile bike ride, and a few assorted swims between parts of Mission Bay. It had just 46 entrants and was a lot more casual than most triathlons today. Entrants brought their own bikes, many of which were humble beach cruisers, and Johnstone had his 13-year-old son floating on a surfboard to act as a lifeguard. When it began to get dark, some entrants had yet to finish the events, so other participants pulled their cars up to the shore so their headlights could illuminate the course.

The triathlon went on to become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is now a major Olympic event. Notably, two entrants in this very first triathlon named Judy and John Collins would go on to establish the Iron Man Triathlon just a few years later in 1977. This simple stone monument was put in place in 2015, a little more than 40 years after the event.

Related Tags

Races Competitions Biking Monuments Plaques Sports

Know Before You Go

You can easily park in the parking lot by the plaque (titled "Dirt Parking Lot" on Google Maps).

It can also be accessed via the bike/pedestrian trials throughout Mission Bay.

Community Contributors

Added By

RobertPakko

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

January 12, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.npr.org/2016/02/02/465321566/jack-johnstone-creator-of-the-triathlon-dies-at-80
  • https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20860537/triathlon-cofounder-jack-johnstone-dies-at-80/
  • https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2015/02/20/worlds-first-triathlon-ever-commemorated-san-diego
Birthplace of Modern Triathlon
1258-1262 E Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, California, 92109
United States
32.769092, -117.209488
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Memorial to the White Deer of Mission Hills

San Diego, California

miles away

Old Town State Historic Park

San Diego, California

miles away

Whaley House

San Diego, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Diego

San Diego

California

Places 45
Stories 8

Nearby Places

Memorial to the White Deer of Mission Hills

San Diego, California

miles away

Old Town State Historic Park

San Diego, California

miles away

Whaley House

San Diego, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Diego

San Diego

California

Places 45
Stories 8

Related Places

  • Dick Lane Velodrome

    East Point, Georgia

    The Dick Lane Velodrome

    While The Dick Lane Velodrome is Atlanta’s official home of track cycling and Georgia's only velodrome, many are unfamiliar with this community gem.

  • Tommy the Turtle

    Boissevain, Manitoba

    Tommy the Turtle

    This colossal reptile celebrates the history of the now-defunct Canadian Turtle Derby.

  • The Kiplingcotes Derby, 2015.

    Kiplingcotes, England

    Kiplingcotes Derby

    You don't have to be a professional jockey to ride in Britain's oldest horse race.

  • Champ de Mars Racecourse

    Port Louis, Mauritius

    Champ de Mars

    Dating back to 1812, this is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Stairs, tilework

    Bisbee, Arizona

    Bisbee Stairs

    Stairs often replace streets on the steep slopes of this old mining town.

  • Coplay, Pennsylvania

    Saquon Barkley Plaque

    A tribute to one of Coplay’s best athletes and beloved sons.

  • The memorial statue

    Cordova, Alaska

    Cordova Fisherman’s Memorial

    A small maritime town's own way of memorializing the local lives spent at sea.

  • Thunder Bay, Ontario

    Terry Fox Monument

    Honoring the adaptive athlete's Marathon of Hope.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.