The first Reston Triathlon took place in September of 1984. The 25th Triathlon on September 7, 2008.
Many people from the Reston-Herndon area put a lot of time and effort into brining the first Reston Triathlon about, but Norman (Norm) Happ was its trail blazer. His efforts and vision gave Reston one of its best annual community events, which continues to this year, and hopefully for many more years.
Norm Happ's recollections take us back to the 1970s and 80s to the environment that existed then with regard to Reston activities. He notes the Biking Club did Bike Centuries, the Reston Runners Club did 10Ks, 10 milers, and marathons, and the Master Swim Team had swim meets and open water swims. Some of the folks in each of these sports began to train together for the Oxford Triathlon in Oxford, Maryland (one of only a few triathlons at that time).
As Norm explains, the members of the different sporting groups started training together and talking together, and after much thought, Norm agreed to organize the effort for a triathlon in Reston.
At that time, Dick Hays represented the Reston Bicycle Club, Joe Fleig represented the Reston Runners Club, and Floyd de Andrade represented the Master's Swim Team.
That first Reston Triathlon finished at South Lakes High School in what appears from pictures to be an empty field. The High School has evolved from that day in 1984 and so has the Reston Triathlon.
There were to be 125 total entrants allowed in that first event. 350 athletes applied -- 200 were finally accepted (with emphasis on local folks). There were 164 finishers out of 165 starters.
Fast forward to 2008's Reston Triathlon with 600+ athletes registered and 498 finishers.
A call went out for volunteers. We do not know how many came out for that first Reston Triathlon, but between 500 and 600 come forward now. Add the number of spectators along the route and in the high school stands and these athletes enjoy one of Reston's best community activities.
The Reston Triathlon has had some accidents (not many) and one tragedy in the drowning of Curtis Silvey in 1988.
It has also had one engagement ring posted on a bike handle bar, and one wedding has been held at the end of the event by two athletes immediately after completing the Triathlon together.
Two athletes have completed all 25 Triathlons to date.
As the years progressed, the directors have come and gone. One present director has been involved from the very beginning. Bunny Bonnes started out in 1984 on the food committee. She has been a director since 1994. Read her comments in the Recollections and Comments section. This will give you an idea of the tremendous logistics and time involvement now required to make the Reston Triathlon such a success.
Rick Uhrig has provided a recap of the Triathlon course changes over the years. Other folks who have spent many hours in volunteering time have some fun and interesting memories also (although they were not always able to remember the exact year certain things happened).
The Reston Triathlon has contributed to Reston Interfaith and many other community organizations since its start in 1984. By now, it attracts many sponsors which help with its costs. The budget in 1984 was $7,937. The budget for the 2008 Triathlon was $72,000. The first entry fee was $35. The fee for 2008 was $100, plus $10 for the USAT insurance fee.
As I attempted to pull together this history, I became so impressed with the wonderful effort of so many volunteers in our community who have continued to keep this wonderful event ongoing.
Come out early to Lake Audubon. Listen to Pavel Pekarsky play the National Anthem on his violin (in his wetsuit, ready for the swim), while one of our political leaders starts it all off. It's the swim first, the bike second, and the run third, finishing at South Lakes High School.