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EXCALIBUR TRIATHLON.
The first recorded triathlon in the world was held in 1974 in San Diego, California.
The distances were 1.5 K swim, 40 Km Cycle and a 10 Km run, the winner of which was Bill Philipps. In 1977, John Collins and
his army buddies in Hawaii, to settle a bet, instigated the first ever Ironman triathlon on the island of Ohau. They used
the existing events of the Wakiku rough water swim, 2.4 miles, the around Ohau bike race of 112 miles and the Honolulu marathon,
where 12 athletes reached the finish. The winner was Gordon Haller in a time of 11.46.58 !!
The Excalibur Triathlon
was instigated in September 1988 at Port Eynon Bay on the Gower Peninsula South Wales, and has seen entrants compete from
all over the globe, from top international athletes right through the wide spectrum to the first-time-Tryers. A tough, yet
exhilarating challenging event, promoting great personal self satisfaction and achievement to all who enter.
How did
it all start?
Believe it or not in the early 1980s Wales had never heard of triathlons, and Welsh triathletes could be
counted on one hand. In 1984, I managed to get together a few triathletes from Cardiff and Newport, often meeting up at the
University of Wales Swansea sports centre to train together and share tips, and often competed in national and international
events in England.
In the January of 1986, the first ever Welsh Triathlon club was formed, Triathletes Swansea (now
known as The Excalibur Triathlon Club). Today, there are a large number of triathlon clubs in Wales and triathlon events.
After competing in many events throughout UK, I thought it was time that this part of Wales should host its own event,
although one or two intermittent events had taken place at Barry and at Pontardawe (1987).
The idea was to organize an
event that would be physically and mentally challenging, open to all and above all, well organized and a safe event. A number
of sites were looked at on Gower, but Port Eynon Bay came out top for many reasons.
The sea was relatively clean and good
water at neap tides for swimming, in addition the City of Swansea water safety section patrol this bay in the summer months
and have consistently offered their professional support and advice. Ease of access for the triathletes and the general public
was another point, thereby aiding the police and emergency services in their continuous and much needed support.
The cycle
route takes in the challenging course around Gower, especially over Cefn Bryn which is the location for the famous bronze
age landmark, that of King Arthurs stone, thus the Sword in the stone challenge title once you have completed the whole event..!!
There was only one choice in the run, and it had to be a steep ascent, but you do have a chance to stretch your legs for
five minutes before you climb! However, what goes up must come down, so for all you downhill runners, a chance to excel.
Overall,
a good demanding and challenging course promoting a feeling of achievement and well-being.
Howard Middleton-Jones
Originator of the Excalibur Triathlon and Triathletes Swansea
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