INSIDE THIS ISSUE
OCTOBER 2017
Iron War Revisited TCSD Contacts Board Members Member Profile
1 3 4 4
OCTOBER TCSD EVENTS
5 7 14
New Members Coach’s Corner
16 16
TriNews
9 8 9 1
TRIATHLON CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
Weekly Workout Calendar TCSD Conversation It’s The Law
AR W N IRO D E T I S I REV
Refer to the Club’s website for complete activity listings and information.
The ultimate one-day test of endurance saw its greatest moment on October 14, 1989, now forever known as “The Iron War.” That was also the day that the rivalry between Mark Allen and Dave Scott reached its pinnacle of intensity. Mark finished with a time of 8:09:14, with Dave just 58 seconds back at 8:10:13. The greatest Ironman triathlon race happened on the magical Big Island of Hawaii. It was a battle of heavyweights, similar to Ali v. Frazier at “The Thrilla in Manilla.”
The Kona Coast The Kona Ironman world championship consists of a 2.4-mile swim in a calm bay in downtown Kona. Then it’s a 112-mile bike race through the barren black lava fields, climbing up the lush mountain road with green grass to the small town
of Hawi, then back down, through the lava fields to the Kona Surf Hotel outside of Kona. Then, the athletes put on their running shoes for a 26.2 mile run out to the airport and back. If that’s not enough of a challenge, factor in the local heat, humidity, wind, and desolation.
The Racers The Germans had started to take an interest in the race, with pros like master swimmer Wolfgang Dietrich, (48:13 swim) and fast bicyclist Jurgen Zack participating. But Kona was still dominated by Dave Scott, from Davis, California. From 1980 to 1987 he won in Hawaii six times. He was known as “The Man” because of his dedicated training regimen and unrelenting race performances. Dave’s race season always peaked in Kona. Enter the challenger, Mark Allen from San Diego. Mark had finished second to Dave Scott five times. But 1989 would be different.
Mark’s Change in Race Strategy First, Mark Allen trained on New Zealand’s South Island with triathlon legends Scott Molina and Erin Baker. Molina won Hawaii in 1988. Mark lived a simple life there. Second, Mark adopted a new strategy. Like a sage matador in a bullfight, he let the race come to him. Mark shadowed Dave on the swim and on the bike. continued on page 13