Triathlon Stories from the lava fields and beyond

Lava & Legends

A triathlon almanac—athlete sagas, race epics, and rivalries told with heart. Vintage Kona spirit, timeless grit.

Enter the Almanac Start at 1978 🎲 Random Year

“Keeps his cool in a chaotic finale to seal France's second straight men's crown.”

Legends Timeline

A ribbon of landmark years and moments. Start anywhere.

Open Almanac 2024

Featured

2024: Fifty Years On

The sport of triathlon turned 50 in 2024 – the first modern triathlon took place in San Diego on September 25, 1974 . Half a century later, triathlon is an Olympic sport with professional tours (PTO, etc.) and a flourishing global age-group scene.

Open year More like this

Year2020s
2024: Fifty Years On
Triathlon at 50: Olympic glory in Paris; records shattered; new champions crowned.
Open
Moment2020s
Triathlon's 50th anniversary celebrated worldwide
The sport of triathlon turned 50 in 2024 – the first modern triathlon took place in San Diego on September 25, 1974 . Half a century later, triathlon is an Olympic sport with professional tours (PTO, etc.) and a flourishing global age-group scene.
Open
Year2010s
2019: The Queen is Dethroned
Haug's Kona upset; Frodeno's comeback record; Luis and Zaferes crowned; PTO grows.
Open
Moment2010s
Vincent Luis wins ITU world title, France's first men's champion
Luis sealed the 2019 title at the Lausanne Grand Final, delivering France its first men's elite world triathlon championship.
Open
Year2000s
2009: Series Era Begins, Kona Streaks Continue
ITU launches the World Championship Series; Brownlee and Moffatt take season titles; Crowie and Wellington reign in Kona.
Open
Moment2000s
World Championship Series replaces one-day worlds
The ITU launches a season-long points series culminating in a Grand Final—modernizing elite short-course.
Open
Year1990s
1999: Sydney Looms, Bowden’s Breakthrough
Olympic test events and qualification heat up; Lori Bowden and Luc Van Lierde triumph in Kona.
Open
Moment1990s
Montreal hosts ITU Worlds; new champions emerge
Breakthroughs for rising names set the tone ahead of Sydney qualification.
Open
Year1980s
1989: The Iron War
Allen vs. Scott’s legendary duel at Kona defines an era.
Open
Moment1980s
Inaugural ITU World Championships held in Avignon
Mark Allen and Erin Baker win the first Olympic-distance worlds.
Open