See triathletes race along the American River as historic event returns to Sacramento area

Sacramento Bee
·1 min read

The Great American Triathlon celebrated its 49th outing on Saturday, with hundreds participating in the run-bicycle-boat event along the American River.

The event, once known as Eppie’s Great Race, started in 1974 and is considered the first modern triathlon.

The 24.4-mile course starts with a 5.8-mile run west from the William Pond Recreation Area. Participants cycle 12.5 miles east from the Guy West Bridge to the Lower Sunrise footbridge, and paddle downstream 6.4 miles on the American River to River Bend Park.

Ben Lawry from Durham, North Carolina, finished with the fastest time: 1 hour, 50 minutes and 30 seconds. The fastest femaie finisher was Kristi Capello of Carmichael, who had a time of 2:08:33.

Marisa Crawford of Fair Oaks, right, stretches with Abby Liske of Sacramento before the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Marisa Crawford of Fair Oaks, right, stretches with Abby Liske of Sacramento before the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Runners leave the starting line at the start of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Runners leave the starting line at the start of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Top finisher Ben Lawry of Durham, N.C., left, takes off on the second leg of the Great American Triathlon near the Guy West Bridge on Saturday.
Top finisher Ben Lawry of Durham, N.C., left, takes off on the second leg of the Great American Triathlon near the Guy West Bridge on Saturday.
Daryl Ganas of Rancho Cordova takes a selfie on his kayak as he starts the last leg of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Daryl Ganas of Rancho Cordova takes a selfie on his kayak as he starts the last leg of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Jennifer Reents of Sacramento raises her arms after completing at the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Jennifer Reents of Sacramento raises her arms after completing at the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Rene Torres, of Sacramento right, crosses the finish line with Javier Ramirez, of South San Francisco, left, with a time of 2:36:27 at the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Rene Torres, of Sacramento right, crosses the finish line with Javier Ramirez, of South San Francisco, left, with a time of 2:36:27 at the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024.