1983 Los Angeles Ricoh Ironman

Before we get into the main point of today’s post we need to do some Hawaii Ironman back-story. After the 2nd edition of the event in 1979, race founder and director, John Collins, is posted back to the US mainland by the navy. Collins gifts the race to Valerie Silk and Hank Grundman, owners of the Nautilus Fitness Club, who sponsored the event.

In 1980 Silk and Grundman divorce. Hank keeps the club and Valerie gets the race. In 1981 Silk moved the event from Honululu to Kona. And then makes the switcheroo from February to October in 1982.

Then in the following years, Silk oversees the expansion of Ironman franchise races into New Zealand and Japan in 1985, Canada in 1986 and Germany and Australia in 1988. Before selling the company to James Gills and David Voth in December 1989 for $3 Million.

Gills and Voth call their new venture The World Triathlon Corporation and immediately launch a new initiative, The Ironman World Series. Then Lanzarote is the first European expansion race in 1992.

But the first Silk-sanctioned event outside of Hawaii was the Ricoh Los Angeles Ironman in May 1983. Above and below. Although the distances were slightly shorter than Ironman. 2 miles. 100 miles. 20 miles.

The Pacific Ocean was rough and cold. So wetsuit-vests were made compulsory. These were provided by surf-brand Body Glove. As nobody was producing triathlon specific wetsuits back then.

It seems the ride was pretty hilly. Out of town through the hills. And portions of Highway 101 along the coast. The run was also hilly. And urban. Starting at Santa Monica Pier. And taking in Wiltshire Boulevard.

Hawaii Ironman reigning champion and writer of the race report, Julie leach, won the women’s race. And Scott Molina the men’s.

Images: Triathlon (USA) Fall 1983