The ITU World Triathlon San Diego will present a unique opportunity for age-group triathletes to race alongside two of the sport's all-time greats. Ironman World Champion and 2012 USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee Scott Molina and Olympic bronze medalist Susan Williams have committed to race in the age-group ranks at the May 10-12 event.
"It has been about 25 years since I last raced in San Diego - way too long," Molina said. "I vividly recall living and racing there in the 80s in the centre of the triathlon world."
In his competitive days, Molina (one of triathlon's Big Four with Dave Scott, Mark Allen and Scott Tinley) notched 104 professional triathlon victories, six USA Triathlon Elite National Championships - including four straight from 1983-86 - the 1988 Ironman World Championship and a pair of world's toughest triathlon titles. A father of three and grandfather of one, Molina married fellow professional triathlete Erin Baker in 1990. He resides in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he has worked as a triathlon coach since 1995.
Williams, who captured the first Olympic triathlon medal for the United States in Athens in 2004, returned to racing as an age-grouper in 2011 following the birth of her third child.
"I am very excited to race where the first triathlon took place and toe the line alongside fellow age-group athletes, then sit back and watch our top elites vie for spots on the U.S. Olympic Team," Williams said.
The ITU World Triathlon San Diego's scenic race venue is adjacent to Fiesta Island, which hosted the world's first-ever triathlon on 25 September 1974.
Race-day action for age-groupers is scheduled for 12 May with the age-group Olympic-distance and relay races at 6:30am, followed by the sprint-distance event at 9:30am.
Visit sandiego.triathlon.org for more information and to register.
