[Music] in 1974 about 2500 miles to the west of
in 1974 about 2500 miles to the west of
in 1974 about 2500 miles to the west of here in San Diego California a new sport
here in San Diego California a new sport
here in San Diego California a new sport was born a sport that would eventually
was born a sport that would eventually
was born a sport that would eventually turn the city of Clermont Florida and to
turn the city of Clermont Florida and to
turn the city of Clermont Florida and to a worldwide sports destination the sport
a worldwide sports destination the sport
a worldwide sports destination the sport involved swimming cycling and running
involved swimming cycling and running
involved swimming cycling and running and 46 participants were up for the
and 46 participants were up for the
and 46 participants were up for the challenge on that day the event was
challenge on that day the event was
challenge on that day the event was created by the San Diego Track Club and
created by the San Diego Track Club and
created by the San Diego Track Club and was modeled after an existing event they
was modeled after an existing event they
was modeled after an existing event they already had called a swim run biathlon
already had called a swim run biathlon
already had called a swim run biathlon the new event was titled a run bike swim
the new event was titled a run bike swim
the new event was titled a run bike swim triathlon and it consisted of six miles
triathlon and it consisted of six miles
triathlon and it consisted of six miles of running five miles of biking and 500
of running five miles of biking and 500
of running five miles of biking and 500 yards of swimming and it was done in
yards of swimming and it was done in
yards of swimming and it was done in various segments it wasn’t done like a
various segments it wasn’t done like a
various segments it wasn’t done like a typical triathlon they’d run a little
typical triathlon they’d run a little
typical triathlon they’d run a little bit bike a little bit swim a little bit
bit bike a little bit swim a little bit
bit bike a little bit swim a little bit and keep going
and keep going
and keep going the entry fee was only $1 and when
the entry fee was only $1 and when
the entry fee was only $1 and when athletes signed up they were sort of
athletes signed up they were sort of
athletes signed up they were sort of sort of re minded that they had to bring
sort of re minded that they had to bring
sort of re minded that they had to bring their own bicycle which at the time was
their own bicycle which at the time was
their own bicycle which at the time was typically a giant beach cruiser or real
typically a giant beach cruiser or real
typically a giant beach cruiser or real heavy three three-speed swim and the
heavy three three-speed swim and the
heavy three three-speed swim and the majority of the runners I mean the
majority of the runners I mean the
majority of the runners I mean the majority of the athletes were just
majority of the athletes were just
majority of the athletes were just average swimmers at best but they had
average swimmers at best but they had
average swimmers at best but they had the adventuresome spirit to come out in
the adventuresome spirit to come out in
the adventuresome spirit to come out in the middle of the week after work and
the middle of the week after work and
the middle of the week after work and participate in this a needed a sport if
participate in this a needed a sport if
participate in this a needed a sport if it wasn’t for those crazy athletes on
it wasn’t for those crazy athletes on
it wasn’t for those crazy athletes on that sunny sunny afternoon in Southern
that sunny sunny afternoon in Southern
that sunny sunny afternoon in Southern California the sport of triathlon as we
California the sport of triathlon as we
California the sport of triathlon as we know it today may not have evolved for
know it today may not have evolved for
know it today may not have evolved for the next couple years triathlon took off
the next couple years triathlon took off
the next couple years triathlon took off throughout throughout Californian up the
throughout throughout Californian up the
throughout throughout Californian up the entire West Coast but it was in 1977
entire West Coast but it was in 1977
entire West Coast but it was in 1977 when a barroom debate in Hawaii created
when a barroom debate in Hawaii created
when a barroom debate in Hawaii created what would eventually become one of the
what would eventually become one of the
what would eventually become one of the world’s toughest endurance events the
world’s toughest endurance events the
world’s toughest endurance events the Hawaii Ironman a couple years later the
Hawaii Ironman a couple years later the
Hawaii Ironman a couple years later the the Hawaii Ironman was picked up by ABC
the Hawaii Ironman was picked up by ABC
the Hawaii Ironman was picked up by ABC in the Wide World of Sports and that
in the Wide World of Sports and that
in the Wide World of Sports and that brought worldwide recognition to the
brought worldwide recognition to the
brought worldwide recognition to the sport of triathlon and spread the growth
sport of triathlon and spread the growth
sport of triathlon and spread the growth of triathlon across the u.s. here in
of triathlon across the u.s. here in
of triathlon across the u.s. here in Florida we had our first triathlon back
Florida we had our first triathlon back
Florida we had our first triathlon back in 1980 it was put on by the Cypress
in 1980 it was put on by the Cypress
in 1980 it was put on by the Cypress Gardens
Gardens
Gardens Thoma club down a course at Cypress
Thoma club down a course at Cypress
Thoma club down a course at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park which is a
Gardens Adventure Park which is a
Gardens Adventure Park which is a longtime florist a tourist attraction
longtime florist a tourist attraction
longtime florist a tourist attraction down in Haines City now let’s step back
down in Haines City now let’s step back
down in Haines City now let’s step back into the 70s the time before many of you
into the 70s the time before many of you
into the 70s the time before many of you were even around I grew up as a fat kid
were even around I grew up as a fat kid
were even around I grew up as a fat kid and being blessed with the name Fred I
and being blessed with the name Fred I
and being blessed with the name Fred I quickly assumed the nickname fat Freddy
quickly assumed the nickname fat Freddy
quickly assumed the nickname fat Freddy when I graduated from high school in
when I graduated from high school in
when I graduated from high school in 1972 the running boom had just started
1972 the running boom had just started
1972 the running boom had just started and the country was becoming crazy about
and the country was becoming crazy about
and the country was becoming crazy about Fitness with aerobics and everything
Fitness with aerobics and everything
Fitness with aerobics and everything else and during the course of the summer
else and during the course of the summer
else and during the course of the summer I was getting ready to head off to go to
I was getting ready to head off to go to
I was getting ready to head off to go to college I decided that fat Freddy was
college I decided that fat Freddy was
college I decided that fat Freddy was going to be no more so I as I took off
going to be no more so I as I took off
going to be no more so I as I took off to go to college I made it a priority
to go to college I made it a priority
to go to college I made it a priority that diet and fitness were going to be a
that diet and fitness were going to be a
that diet and fitness were going to be a major part of my life so the next couple
major part of my life so the next couple
major part of my life so the next couple years I was at college I changed and I
years I was at college I changed and I
years I was at college I changed and I became one of those weight loss stories
became one of those weight loss stories
became one of those weight loss stories I lost over 60 pounds dropped from a
I lost over 60 pounds dropped from a
I lost over 60 pounds dropped from a size 42 inch waist to a size 32 inch
size 42 inch waist to a size 32 inch
size 42 inch waist to a size 32 inch waist and I and I kept myself in shape
waist and I and I kept myself in shape
waist and I and I kept myself in shape when I graduated from college I was
when I graduated from college I was
when I graduated from college I was obsessed with running it was running
obsessed with running it was running
obsessed with running it was running that was keeping me in shape and I was
that was keeping me in shape and I was
that was keeping me in shape and I was running a lot I’m 1:00 in the morning at
running a lot I’m 1:00 in the morning at
running a lot I’m 1:00 in the morning at 1:00 at night of course by a chance to
1:00 at night of course by a chance to
1:00 at night of course by a chance to run the afternoon I’d run too and I did
run the afternoon I’d run too and I did
run the afternoon I’d run too and I did practically every running race I could
practically every running race I could
practically every running race I could find within a 100-mile radius of Central
find within a 100-mile radius of Central
find within a 100-mile radius of Central Florida in late 1982 I was looking at
Florida in late 1982 I was looking at
Florida in late 1982 I was looking at the event listings in the Orlando paper
the event listings in the Orlando paper
the event listings in the Orlando paper and trying to find some more runs to do
and trying to find some more runs to do
and trying to find some more runs to do and I spotted a couple listings for
and I spotted a couple listings for
and I spotted a couple listings for triathlons I already knew what a
triathlons I already knew what a
triathlons I already knew what a triathlon was on because I’d watched the
triathlon was on because I’d watched the
triathlon was on because I’d watched the Ironman coverage on on TV so I knew what
Ironman coverage on on TV so I knew what
Ironman coverage on on TV so I knew what a triathlon was I knew I could bike
a triathlon was I knew I could bike
a triathlon was I knew I could bike because I was already biking a couple
because I was already biking a couple
because I was already biking a couple times a week with friends just just to
times a week with friends just just to
times a week with friends just just to stay in shape of course I could run and
stay in shape of course I could run and
stay in shape of course I could run and I figured I could swim because they grew
I figured I could swim because they grew
I figured I could swim because they grew up I’m Lake Minneola and I spend half my
up I’m Lake Minneola and I spend half my
up I’m Lake Minneola and I spend half my childhood in the lake so I just knew if
childhood in the lake so I just knew if
childhood in the lake so I just knew if I started the race I’d be able to finish
I started the race I’d be able to finish
I started the race I’d be able to finish so I immediately signed up for a couple
so I immediately signed up for a couple
so I immediately signed up for a couple well the first one came up spring of
well the first one came up spring of
well the first one came up spring of 1983 I was the great Orlando triathlon
1983 I was the great Orlando triathlon
1983 I was the great Orlando triathlon challenge out in Rosemont I was standing
challenge out in Rosemont I was standing
challenge out in Rosemont I was standing at the start lining in my speedos
at the start lining in my speedos
at the start lining in my speedos because back there and all that all the
because back there and all that all the
because back there and all that all the guys had to her speedos in triathlon and
guys had to her speedos in triathlon and
guys had to her speedos in triathlon and fortunately I had a body where I could
fortunately I had a body where I could
fortunately I had a body where I could wear a speedo but the the gun went off
wear a speedo but the the gun went off
wear a speedo but the the gun went off and we took off in the water so I just
and we took off in the water so I just
and we took off in the water so I just took off a two hundred percent for the
took off a two hundred percent for the
took off a two hundred percent for the first first hundred yards or so and then
first first hundred yards or so and then
first first hundred yards or so and then I realized
I realized
I realized I did not know how to swim long distance
I did not know how to swim long distance
I did not know how to swim long distance so for the rest of the swim I did every
so for the rest of the swim I did every
so for the rest of the swim I did every conceivable stroke known to man plus I
conceivable stroke known to man plus I
conceivable stroke known to man plus I invented several others to make it
invented several others to make it
invented several others to make it through the swim and as I was
through the swim and as I was
through the swim and as I was approaching the swim finish I was
approaching the swim finish I was
approaching the swim finish I was surrounded by lifeguards because I I
surrounded by lifeguards because I I
surrounded by lifeguards because I I think they just assumed that I was going
think they just assumed that I was going
think they just assumed that I was going to drown but i but i but i was moving
to drown but i but i but i was moving
to drown but i but i but i was moving forward bobbing and doing everything
forward bobbing and doing everything
forward bobbing and doing everything possible when I got to shore I turned
possible when I got to shore I turned
possible when I got to shore I turned around I’m look and I was a second from
around I’m look and I was a second from
around I’m look and I was a second from the last person out of the water but I
the last person out of the water but I
the last person out of the water but I was on my turf I was on dry ground I was
was on my turf I was on dry ground I was
was on my turf I was on dry ground I was a good cyclist a good runner so I took
a good cyclist a good runner so I took
a good cyclist a good runner so I took off and I was able to pass about half
off and I was able to pass about half
off and I was able to pass about half the field before I actually finished but
the field before I actually finished but
the field before I actually finished but when I finished I was hooked uh I was
when I finished I was hooked uh I was
when I finished I was hooked uh I was stoked this new sport was so exciting
stoked this new sport was so exciting
stoked this new sport was so exciting and that’s the cool thing about
and that’s the cool thing about
and that’s the cool thing about triathlon because there’s three
triathlon because there’s three
triathlon because there’s three different sports and very few people are
different sports and very few people are
different sports and very few people are good with all three sports so we have a
good with all three sports so we have a
good with all three sports so we have a lot of room for improvement but I was
lot of room for improvement but I was
lot of room for improvement but I was just soaked and couldn’t wait for the
just soaked and couldn’t wait for the
just soaked and couldn’t wait for the next one I had a bunch of friends that
next one I had a bunch of friends that
next one I had a bunch of friends that were also racing we had a local training
were also racing we had a local training
were also racing we had a local training group and a bunch of us had jumped into
group and a bunch of us had jumped into
group and a bunch of us had jumped into the triathlon but there was a problem
the triathlon but there was a problem
the triathlon but there was a problem because we were in love with the sport
because we were in love with the sport
because we were in love with the sport but there was very few opportunities to
but there was very few opportunities to
but there was very few opportunities to race back then or just a handful of
race back then or just a handful of
race back then or just a handful of triathlons across Florida so we had to
triathlons across Florida so we had to
triathlons across Florida so we had to hunt to find the next race to actually
hunt to find the next race to actually
hunt to find the next race to actually do so growing up in Clermont I thought
do so growing up in Clermont I thought
do so growing up in Clermont I thought to myself kind of to make a perfect
to myself kind of to make a perfect
to myself kind of to make a perfect place for a triathlon we got a beautiful
place for a triathlon we got a beautiful
place for a triathlon we got a beautiful lake we got a white sandy beach a public
lake we got a white sandy beach a public
lake we got a white sandy beach a public a public beach there’s miles upon miles
a public beach there’s miles upon miles
a public beach there’s miles upon miles upon rows and back then there was no
upon rows and back then there was no
upon rows and back then there was no traffic on the road so you could bike
traffic on the road so you could bike
traffic on the road so you could bike and run forever
and run forever
and run forever and our local Chamber of Commerce was
and our local Chamber of Commerce was
and our local Chamber of Commerce was already putting on a running race so the
already putting on a running race so the
already putting on a running race so the town would probably a welcome event so I
town would probably a welcome event so I
town would probably a welcome event so I figured I’d reached out to the Chamber
figured I’d reached out to the Chamber
figured I’d reached out to the Chamber of Commerce you know the time triathlon
of Commerce you know the time triathlon
of Commerce you know the time triathlon was growing like crazy it was called the
was growing like crazy it was called the
was growing like crazy it was called the sport of the eighties it was a sexy
sport of the eighties it was a sexy
sport of the eighties it was a sexy sport so I figured the Chamber of
sport so I figured the Chamber of
sport so I figured the Chamber of Commerce would jump at a chance to put
Commerce would jump at a chance to put
Commerce would jump at a chance to put on a triathlon cuz they were already
on a triathlon cuz they were already
on a triathlon cuz they were already doing the you know the run around the
doing the you know the run around the
doing the you know the run around the lake so I met with the chamber and boy
lake so I met with the chamber and boy
lake so I met with the chamber and boy was I wrong they suggested that I take
was I wrong they suggested that I take
was I wrong they suggested that I take the energy I had towards triathlon and
the energy I had towards triathlon and
the energy I had towards triathlon and put it towards helping and handing out
put it towards helping and handing out
put it towards helping and handing out water at their upcoming run which of
water at their upcoming run which of
water at their upcoming run which of course I did but that didn’t satisfy the
course I did but that didn’t satisfy the
course I did but that didn’t satisfy the need that we needed to have a triathlon
need that we needed to have a triathlon
need that we needed to have a triathlon in Clermont so I thought about all the
in Clermont so I thought about all the
in Clermont so I thought about all the different opportunities and couldn’t
different opportunities and couldn’t
different opportunities and couldn’t find another group that was willing to
find another group that was willing to
find another group that was willing to put it on so I thought to myself well
put it on so I thought to myself well
put it on so I thought to myself well I’ll just put it on myself because I’m
I’ll just put it on myself because I’m
I’ll just put it on myself because I’m the type person that’s motivated by a
the type person that’s motivated by a
the type person that’s motivated by a challenge and even though I’ve never
challenge and even though I’ve never
challenge and even though I’ve never directed a race I just figured why done
directed a race I just figured why done
directed a race I just figured why done you know literally hundreds of road
you know literally hundreds of road
you know literally hundreds of road races or one hundred road races and a
races or one hundred road races and a
races or one hundred road races and a couple triathlons
couple triathlons
couple triathlons that it was just planning and I could
that it was just planning and I could
that it was just planning and I could figure it out so I decided to put on the
figure it out so I decided to put on the
figure it out so I decided to put on the very first triathlon and my friends
very first triathlon and my friends
very first triathlon and my friends thought I was nuts you know you’re not a
thought I was nuts you know you’re not a
thought I was nuts you know you’re not a race director I was you at the time I
race director I was you at the time I
race director I was you at the time I was a nursery man and landscaper and the
was a nursery man and landscaper and the
was a nursery man and landscaper and the sport was so new there were very few
sport was so new there were very few
sport was so new there were very few mentors in the sport so there’s no one
mentors in the sport so there’s no one
mentors in the sport so there’s no one you could really reach out to for advice
you could really reach out to for advice
you could really reach out to for advice you just sort of had to wing it
you just sort of had to wing it
you just sort of had to wing it so I went ahead and was about six months
so I went ahead and was about six months
so I went ahead and was about six months of planning on October 4th 1984 staged
of planning on October 4th 1984 staged
of planning on October 4th 1984 staged the very first triathlon and clairemaude
the very first triathlon and clairemaude
the very first triathlon and clairemaude we had 384 athletes come out to the
we had 384 athletes come out to the
we had 384 athletes come out to the sleepy little community and do the race
sleepy little community and do the race
sleepy little community and do the race and the race was a hit it was even
and the race was a hit it was even
and the race was a hit it was even featured in triathlete magazine in
featured in triathlete magazine in
featured in triathlete magazine in spring so within a couple days I was
spring so within a couple days I was
spring so within a couple days I was already planning the next year’s race is
already planning the next year’s race is
already planning the next year’s race is gonna be bigger and better and I got to
gonna be bigger and better and I got to
gonna be bigger and better and I got to think of myself you know we really need
think of myself you know we really need
think of myself you know we really need a triathlon club here because you know
a triathlon club here because you know
a triathlon club here because you know when you get sort of sort of you know
when you get sort of sort of you know
when you get sort of sort of you know obsessed with a sport you want to have
obsessed with a sport you want to have
obsessed with a sport you want to have friends around you to train with and
friends around you to train with and
friends around you to train with and talk about so I decided to form Central
talk about so I decided to form Central
talk about so I decided to form Central Florida triathletes so when we had our
Florida triathletes so when we had our
Florida triathletes so when we had our first meeting before the end of the year
first meeting before the end of the year
first meeting before the end of the year the first thing we were talking about is
the first thing we were talking about is
the first thing we were talking about is that we need to have more races no one
that we need to have more races no one
that we need to have more races no one wanted to wait till next October to race
wanted to wait till next October to race
wanted to wait till next October to race again locally so we decided okay let’s
again locally so we decided okay let’s
again locally so we decided okay let’s put on a sprint race we put on what were
put on a sprint race we put on what were
put on a sprint race we put on what were it’s called the Sprint Athlon back then
it’s called the Sprint Athlon back then
it’s called the Sprint Athlon back then and April are gonna do a sprint race and
and April are gonna do a sprint race and
and April are gonna do a sprint race and then everyone’s thinking well we need a
then everyone’s thinking well we need a
then everyone’s thinking well we need a longer race you know we need something
longer race you know we need something
longer race you know we need something tougher because back then the athletes
tougher because back then the athletes
tougher because back then the athletes were a little bit different you actually
were a little bit different you actually
were a little bit different you actually seeked out longer tougher races were now
seeked out longer tougher races were now
seeked out longer tougher races were now athletes tend to take out seek out the
athletes tend to take out seek out the
athletes tend to take out seek out the easier ones where they can PR that a lot
easier ones where they can PR that a lot
easier ones where they can PR that a lot easier to do and at the time there was
easier to do and at the time there was
easier to do and at the time there was only one longer triathlon a half ironman
only one longer triathlon a half ironman
only one longer triathlon a half ironman in florida and that was 300 miles away
in florida and that was 300 miles away
in florida and that was 300 miles away and it was in spring so we decided to
and it was in spring so we decided to
and it was in spring so we decided to add a Half Ironman the Florida Challenge
add a Half Ironman the Florida Challenge
add a Half Ironman the Florida Challenge triathlon and then almost so we started
triathlon and then almost so we started
triathlon and then almost so we started talking about kids what about kids gotta
talking about kids what about kids gotta
talking about kids what about kids gotta do some for the kids well we happen to
do some for the kids well we happen to
do some for the kids well we happen to get a call from a promoter in California
get a call from a promoter in California
get a call from a promoter in California that was looking for any Florida
that was looking for any Florida
that was looking for any Florida qualifying race for the national iron
qualifying race for the national iron
qualifying race for the national iron kids series so we added the kids event
kids series so we added the kids event
kids series so we added the kids event to the schedule and a quick sidebar
to the schedule and a quick sidebar
to the schedule and a quick sidebar about the kids race and our very first
about the kids race and our very first
about the kids race and our very first kids race there are very few kids
kids race there are very few kids
kids race there are very few kids triathlons in the entire country at the
triathlons in the entire country at the
triathlons in the entire country at the time
time
time a local swimmer from Longwood named
a local swimmer from Longwood named
a local swimmer from Longwood named hunter Kemper came out with a couple of
hunter Kemper came out with a couple of
hunter Kemper came out with a couple of his friends you know to do the race they
his friends you know to do the race they
his friends you know to do the race they were doing it as a challenge but hunter
were doing it as a challenge but hunter
were doing it as a challenge but hunter continued on in the sport of triathlon
continued on in the sport of triathlon
continued on in the sport of triathlon he eventually became the most decorated
he eventually became the most decorated
he eventually became the most decorated male in the US and the sport of
male in the US and the sport of
male in the US and the sport of triathlon was it was a national champion
triathlon was it was a national champion
triathlon was it was a national champion he was honored by the
he was honored by the
he was honored by the usoc Olympic Committee and he was a
usoc Olympic Committee and he was a
usoc Olympic Committee and he was a four-time Olympian and he made the
four-time Olympian and he made the
four-time Olympian and he made the Olympic the triathlon Olympic team four
Olympic the triathlon Olympic team four
Olympic the triathlon Olympic team four times it just goes to show you how one
times it just goes to show you how one
times it just goes to show you how one event can change someone’s life forever
event can change someone’s life forever
event can change someone’s life forever but now we had four events we went from
but now we had four events we went from
but now we had four events we went from one event in one year four events the
one event in one year four events the
one event in one year four events the next year the town was on the radar
next year the town was on the radar
next year the town was on the radar screen athletes were seeking out new
screen athletes were seeking out new
screen athletes were seeking out new events they were hungry for new events
events they were hungry for new events
events they were hungry for new events and we were ready to put him on for him
and we were ready to put him on for him
and we were ready to put him on for him the early days of the sport would like
the early days of the sport would like
the early days of the sport would like the wild wild west you didn’t have any
the wild wild west you didn’t have any
the wild wild west you didn’t have any standard distances or formats um some of
standard distances or formats um some of
standard distances or formats um some of the races would start with a swim some
the races would start with a swim some
the races would start with a swim some with the bike some of the run it was all
with the bike some of the run it was all
with the bike some of the run it was all over the place the rules were just being
over the place the rules were just being
over the place the rules were just being created and they were never enforced
created and they were never enforced
created and they were never enforced majority of the cyclists we’re doing the
majority of the cyclists we’re doing the
majority of the cyclists we’re doing the event without a helmet on and race
event without a helmet on and race
event without a helmet on and race directors had to create and invent their
directors had to create and invent their
directors had to create and invent their own equipment for staging because there
own equipment for staging because there
own equipment for staging because there was there was no standard staging
was there was no standard staging
was there was no standard staging equipment or anything and the race
equipment or anything and the race
equipment or anything and the race scoring was was crewed by by by today’s
scoring was was crewed by by by today’s
scoring was was crewed by by by today’s standards but the one thing we’re
standards but the one thing we’re
standards but the one thing we’re certain the sport was going growing like
certain the sport was going growing like
certain the sport was going growing like crazy it was spreading across the u.s.
crazy it was spreading across the u.s.
crazy it was spreading across the u.s. everyone wanted to do a triathlon of
everyone wanted to do a triathlon of
everyone wanted to do a triathlon of course we were ready to create more
course we were ready to create more
course we were ready to create more events for them to do so within 10 years
events for them to do so within 10 years
events for them to do so within 10 years we actually had 10 annual triathlons in
we actually had 10 annual triathlons in
we actually had 10 annual triathlons in Claremont including the full Ironman
Claremont including the full Ironman
Claremont including the full Ironman distance race the great Veridian
distance race the great Veridian
distance race the great Veridian triathlon and this particular event was
triathlon and this particular event was
triathlon and this particular event was only a handful of Ironman distance races
only a handful of Ironman distance races
only a handful of Ironman distance races in the entire world at the time and it
in the entire world at the time and it
in the entire world at the time and it started bringing the international
started bringing the international
started bringing the international athletes to the community so the
athletes to the community so the
athletes to the community so the international athletes were now coming
international athletes were now coming
international athletes were now coming in within 15 years of starting we had
in within 15 years of starting we had
in within 15 years of starting we had already attracted athletes from all 50
already attracted athletes from all 50
already attracted athletes from all 50 states in more than 30 countries to
states in more than 30 countries to
states in more than 30 countries to Claremont to actually do a track lon we
Claremont to actually do a track lon we
Claremont to actually do a track lon we were averaging over 10,000 triathletes a
were averaging over 10,000 triathletes a
were averaging over 10,000 triathletes a year coming into town to compete and of
year coming into town to compete and of
year coming into town to compete and of course they bought friends and family
course they bought friends and family
course they bought friends and family members with them as well and the one
members with them as well and the one
members with them as well and the one things cool about triathlon unlike other
things cool about triathlon unlike other
things cool about triathlon unlike other sports for you’re doing the event in a
sports for you’re doing the event in a
sports for you’re doing the event in a venue triathlons all over the place so
venue triathlons all over the place so
venue triathlons all over the place so when athletes go out they’re seeing the
when athletes go out they’re seeing the
when athletes go out they’re seeing the community them they’re seeing the
community them they’re seeing the
community them they’re seeing the countryside so athletes were coming to
countryside so athletes were coming to
countryside so athletes were coming to our community for the first time seeing
our community for the first time seeing
our community for the first time seeing and falling loved a lot of them we’re
and falling loved a lot of them we’re
and falling loved a lot of them we’re now going to make it their home and a
now going to make it their home and a
now going to make it their home and a couple of realtor’s in town notice that
couple of realtor’s in town notice that
couple of realtor’s in town notice that and they started catering to this new
and they started catering to this new
and they started catering to this new grow group group of homebuyers so as you
grow group group of homebuyers so as you
grow group group of homebuyers so as you know that particular time of the year
know that particular time of the year
know that particular time of the year the the real estate people in town were
the the real estate people in town were
the the real estate people in town were struggling to sell
struggling to sell
struggling to sell but the the realtor is ever going after
but the the realtor is ever going after
but the the realtor is ever going after the athletes were selling homes like
the athletes were selling homes like
the athletes were selling homes like crazy which is which is really cool the
crazy which is which is really cool the
crazy which is which is really cool the local economy was driven by citrus and
local economy was driven by citrus and
local economy was driven by citrus and the snowbirds at the time these the
the snowbirds at the time these the
the snowbirds at the time these the population in Clermont would double in
population in Clermont would double in
population in Clermont would double in the winter and the median age was about
the winter and the median age was about
the winter and the median age was about 50 something so that’s what I was what
50 something so that’s what I was what
50 something so that’s what I was what was driving the growth the Clermont at
was driving the growth the Clermont at
was driving the growth the Clermont at the time in the early days but citrus is
the time in the early days but citrus is
the time in the early days but citrus is struggling we had back-to-back major
struggling we had back-to-back major
struggling we had back-to-back major freezes that wiped out a lot of the
freezes that wiped out a lot of the
freezes that wiped out a lot of the citrus groves they were planted again
citrus groves they were planted again
citrus groves they were planted again now citrus canker came in started
now citrus canker came in started
now citrus canker came in started started ruining the citrus and then in
started ruining the citrus and then in
started ruining the citrus and then in Christmas of 1989 another major freeze
Christmas of 1989 another major freeze
Christmas of 1989 another major freeze rolled in and it pretty much wiped out
rolled in and it pretty much wiped out
rolled in and it pretty much wiped out the citrus industry as we knew it at the
the citrus industry as we knew it at the
the citrus industry as we knew it at the time so a lot of the growers had no
time so a lot of the growers had no
time so a lot of the growers had no choice but to sell their land to the
choice but to sell their land to the
choice but to sell their land to the developers there was a big housing boom
developers there was a big housing boom
developers there was a big housing boom going on in Central Florida but luckily
going on in Central Florida but luckily
going on in Central Florida but luckily they had stayed away from us and they
they had stayed away from us and they
they had stayed away from us and they were all north north and east and south
were all north north and east and south
were all north north and east and south of the Orlando market but now Clermont
of the Orlando market but now Clermont
of the Orlando market but now Clermont was becoming part of the housing boom
was becoming part of the housing boom
was becoming part of the housing boom but was sort of neat about that is that
but was sort of neat about that is that
but was sort of neat about that is that the people that were looking to move
the people that were looking to move
the people that were looking to move there were younger people and they were
there were younger people and they were
there were younger people and they were more active people even who wouldn’t
more active people even who wouldn’t
more active people even who wouldn’t want to move to a community where
want to move to a community where
want to move to a community where Fitness was already a way of life so as
Fitness was already a way of life so as
Fitness was already a way of life so as the area started to grow your Hospital
the area started to grow your Hospital
the area started to grow your Hospital needed to grow as well to keep up with
needed to grow as well to keep up with
needed to grow as well to keep up with it and our local hospital was bought out
it and our local hospital was bought out
it and our local hospital was bought out by a major health care provider in
by a major health care provider in
by a major health care provider in Orlando bought out a 50% stock in our
Orlando bought out a 50% stock in our
Orlando bought out a 50% stock in our Hospital and it wasn’t long before
Hospital and it wasn’t long before
Hospital and it wasn’t long before planned surface for you knew a new
planned surface for you knew a new
planned surface for you knew a new hospital facility and the hospital group
hospital facility and the hospital group
hospital facility and the hospital group took notice to the importance that
took notice to the importance that
took notice to the importance that triathlon had played in the community
triathlon had played in the community
triathlon had played in the community both in the past and present and they
both in the past and present and they
both in the past and present and they decided to create and build a
decided to create and build a
decided to create and build a world-class National Training Center
world-class National Training Center
world-class National Training Center that would that would attract the sports
that would that would attract the sports
that would that would attract the sports national governing body USA Triathlon
national governing body USA Triathlon
national governing body USA Triathlon who was looking to move to perhaps a
who was looking to move to perhaps a
who was looking to move to perhaps a warmer location where athletes could
warmer location where athletes could
warmer location where athletes could train year-round so in 1998 they they
train year-round so in 1998 they they
train year-round so in 1998 they they broke ground on the new hospital on a
broke ground on the new hospital on a
broke ground on the new hospital on a new campus and they also broke ground on
new campus and they also broke ground on
new campus and they also broke ground on the USA Triathlon National Training
the USA Triathlon National Training
the USA Triathlon National Training Center they worked a deal to bring the
Center they worked a deal to bring the
Center they worked a deal to bring the sports national governing body USA
sports national governing body USA
sports national governing body USA Triathlon to Clermont and that was big
Triathlon to Clermont and that was big
Triathlon to Clermont and that was big news triathlon had just become an
news triathlon had just become an
news triathlon had just become an Olympic sport is going to be an Olympics
Olympic sport is going to be an Olympics
Olympic sport is going to be an Olympics in the year 2000 the national
in the year 2000 the national
in the year 2000 the national body for the sport is moving right to
body for the sport is moving right to
body for the sport is moving right to our town the Olympic team is going to be
our town the Olympic team is going to be
our town the Olympic team is going to be based here and we’re gonna have a
based here and we’re gonna have a
based here and we’re gonna have a world-class facility and that and that
world-class facility and that and that
world-class facility and that and that that was some exciting stuff Claremont
that was some exciting stuff Claremont
that was some exciting stuff Claremont was truly the World Triathlon
was truly the World Triathlon
was truly the World Triathlon destination but a few years later the
destination but a few years later the
destination but a few years later the dynamics within the hospital in the
dynamics within the hospital in the
dynamics within the hospital in the training center change so the move to
training center change so the move to
training center change so the move to actually bring all of us a triathlon to
actually bring all of us a triathlon to
actually bring all of us a triathlon to Claremont was never realized but the
Claremont was never realized but the
Claremont was never realized but the National Training Center continued on
National Training Center continued on
National Training Center continued on it’s still welcome welcome to
it’s still welcome welcome to
it’s still welcome welcome to triathletes and was still bringing a
triathletes and was still bringing a
triathletes and was still bringing a more sports and fitness we had a
more sports and fitness we had a
more sports and fitness we had a state-of-the-art track and field complex
state-of-the-art track and field complex
state-of-the-art track and field complex softball complex those sports was really
softball complex those sports was really
softball complex those sports was really big business in Lake County the economic
big business in Lake County the economic
big business in Lake County the economic impact it was determined by the county
impact it was determined by the county
impact it was determined by the county that they estimate that approximately
that they estimate that approximately
that they estimate that approximately 15% of Lake County’s total economic
15% of Lake County’s total economic
15% of Lake County’s total economic value is based on sports and sports
value is based on sports and sports
value is based on sports and sports related tourism the city of Claremont
related tourism the city of Claremont
related tourism the city of Claremont did a recent study and they also found
did a recent study and they also found
did a recent study and they also found out that the direct economic value of
out that the direct economic value of
out that the direct economic value of the events is over five million and it’s
the events is over five million and it’s
the events is over five million and it’s and it’s growing the city of Claremont I
and it’s growing the city of Claremont I
and it’s growing the city of Claremont I mean for me for years the city had this
mean for me for years the city had this
mean for me for years the city had this roots in citrus but citrus was no more
roots in citrus but citrus was no more
roots in citrus but citrus was no more the city was under new leadership and it
the city was under new leadership and it
the city was under new leadership and it was ready for a change they think the
was ready for a change they think the
was ready for a change they think the community was just right for a change
community was just right for a change
community was just right for a change the city was working on a new master
the city was working on a new master
the city was working on a new master plan they need a new identity the old
plan they need a new identity the old
plan they need a new identity the old Claremont logo had an orange in it and
Claremont logo had an orange in it and
Claremont logo had an orange in it and of course citrus was was was long gone
of course citrus was was was long gone
of course citrus was was was long gone so they had couple visionary sessions
so they had couple visionary sessions
so they had couple visionary sessions and the consensus was was why not wrap
and the consensus was was why not wrap
and the consensus was was why not wrap the new identity around sports and
the new identity around sports and
the new identity around sports and fitness for over 30 years
fitness for over 30 years
fitness for over 30 years athletes had been coming to the area to
athletes had been coming to the area to
athletes had been coming to the area to train and to race there’s a lot of value
train and to race there’s a lot of value
train and to race there’s a lot of value associated with that so after a couple
associated with that so after a couple
associated with that so after a couple months of working the city came up with
months of working the city came up with
months of working the city came up with a brand new slogan a brand new identity
a brand new slogan a brand new identity
a brand new slogan a brand new identity for the community was called the choice
for the community was called the choice
for the community was called the choice of Champions and it wasn’t meant to be
of Champions and it wasn’t meant to be
of Champions and it wasn’t meant to be just for athletes a champion can be you
just for athletes a champion can be you
just for athletes a champion can be you know for everyone because everyone’s a
know for everyone because everyone’s a
know for everyone because everyone’s a champ can be a champion in everything
champ can be a champion in everything
champ can be a champion in everything they do
they do
they do so Claremont now had a new identity the
so Claremont now had a new identity the
so Claremont now had a new identity the future could never be brighter for
future could never be brighter for
future could never be brighter for Claremont there’s a lot of exciting
Claremont there’s a lot of exciting
Claremont there’s a lot of exciting things happening the downtown is being
things happening the downtown is being
things happening the downtown is being revitalized the new Claremont has a
revitalized the new Claremont has a
revitalized the new Claremont has a beautiful waterfront and it’s being
beautiful waterfront and it’s being
beautiful waterfront and it’s being enhanced there’s a brand new facility
enhanced there’s a brand new facility
enhanced there’s a brand new facility called victory point
called victory point
called victory point in triathlon Beach that’s being built to
in triathlon Beach that’s being built to
in triathlon Beach that’s being built to handle events write it right in downtown
handle events write it right in downtown
handle events write it right in downtown it’s currently under construction it’s
it’s currently under construction it’s
it’s currently under construction it’s going to be ready by the end of the year
going to be ready by the end of the year
going to be ready by the end of the year we also have a lot more lodging and
we also have a lot more lodging and
we also have a lot more lodging and housing opportunities coming in that are
housing opportunities coming in that are
housing opportunities coming in that are going to entice athletes to stay there
going to entice athletes to stay there
going to entice athletes to stay there longer and hopefully a lot more people
longer and hopefully a lot more people
longer and hopefully a lot more people to make Claremont their permanent home
to make Claremont their permanent home
to make Claremont their permanent home so it wasn’t for that dream to hold that
so it wasn’t for that dream to hold that
so it wasn’t for that dream to hold that very first triathlon almost 35 years ago
very first triathlon almost 35 years ago
very first triathlon almost 35 years ago Claremont would be a much different
Claremont would be a much different
Claremont would be a much different community and I’m proud to say because
community and I’m proud to say because
community and I’m proud to say because of triathlon the future for Claremont
of triathlon the future for Claremont
of triathlon the future for Claremont could never be brighter thank you
could never be brighter thank you
could never be brighter thank you [Applause]
”
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