On 29th July 1979, the first Sri Chinmoy Triathlon was held in Groton, CT, USA. The arduous course consisted of a one mile swim, a 27 mile bicycle ride and a 10 mile run. The race was run under hot conditions.
Sri Chinmoy was in attendance, playing his esraj for the competitors as they exited the swim section. Later in the day, Sri Chinmoy would give a concert in Groton.
The race was mentioned in "The Running Tab" Connecticut a few weeks later.
"MacIntyre Uncontainable, Sweigart Unbelievable."
Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual master, believes that the ego should not be used as a tool for selfish reasons but rather as a gift of giving for mankind. In the spirit of giving, Mark MacIntyre soared above all to win the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon in Groton and Mystic, July 29 in 2:49:23, almost 10 minutes ahead of second place finisher, Rejean Gauthier in 2:58:04. Kiki Sweigart, third place overall and first place woman stunned viewers with her magnificent 3:03:23.
For this first triathlon, Sri Chinmoy composed a song:
I love my great triathlon.
It shows my heart the God-Vision-Dawn.
I swim in the sea of silver light,
I cycle along the road of gold delight,
I run with the smile of the Beyond.
My inner cry: God-Treasure-Diamond.I Love My Great Triathlon at Sri Chinmoy Songs (July 29th, 1979)
History of the Modern Triathlon
The first modern triathlon was held in San Diego on 25 September 1974. The first Ironman Triathlon was held on 28 February 1978, where just 15 competitors started the event in Hawaii. An article in Sports Illustrated May 1979, held increase interest and public awareness. The Sri Chinmoy Triathlon which started in 1979 was an important pioneer of this new emerging sport. It became the most significant triathlon on the East Coast of the US. As the Running Tab noted in 1980:
The term 'triathlon' is a neologism coined to describe a sporting event involving three separate sports. Perhaps the archetypical triathlon is the 'Iron Man', in Hawaii, composed of a 2 1/2 mile swim, 112 mile bicycle ride, and a full marathon run at the end. Some consider the Iron Man arduous and perhaps a bit unreasonable. The Sri Chinmoy Triathlon in Groton on August 10 began with a one mile swim, proceeded through a 27 mile bicycle ride, and culminated in a 10 mile run...
This year's Triathlon was a success in large part due to the fanatical attention to detail paid by the followers of Sri Chinmoy.
"Fowler Triumphs in Triathlon Test." The Running Tab, pp 16-17. 1980. SCMT history
- Sri Chinmoy Triathlon at US Sri Chinmoy Races.
