Id international competition,
for instance, the athletes swim J, 500 meters
(close to a mileXbacfr40J)00 meters, then
nin 10,000 meters (a little over six miles).
Let's not forget that all of this is done in one *
day (usually between four and five hours
for the international distances).
Additionally, triathlons attract large
numbers of competitors. The triathlon held
in Niece, France has a field of 1,000. Here
?in the states, the Chicago Sun-Times
Triathlon usually has around 4,000entnesr~
This sport is becoming more popular
among blacks because it represents an ulti
mate challenge. To succeed, athletes are
always competing against themselves,
stretching to attain the highest level they are
capable of reaching every time they com
pete.
"More blacks are getting into the
triathlon because they want to try it," said
Aurora Workman, Tri-Masters vice-presi
dent. "And it's helped us get more black
youngsters interested in taking up the sport.
To do well, you don't have to be tall and
you don't have to be a jock type. Most
triathletes are unassuming-looking people.
It's not a matter of being a master of one
phase, but being good at all phases. It's a
personal best type of sport."
Aside from staging local triathlons, the
Tri-Masters also have biathlons or
duathlons. Because many inner-city areas
aren't close to lakes or beaches, the swim
portion of the competition is dropped and
athletes bike and run instead.
The triathlon is due to continue its
growth because it has gained more recogni
tion around the globe. The sport has a world
governing body ? the International
Triathlon Union, an agency that has afFilia
tions in 70 countries on six continents. The
triathlon got a huge boost in late April when
the International Olympic Committee rec
ommended that the triathlon become an
Olympic sport, beginning with the '96
Games in Atlanta.
With that kind of recognition, Hartley
feels his organization stands to be at the
forefront in getting more blacks to compete
and eventually reach the world-class level.
"Having the sport being a part of the
Olympics means a lot," Hartley explained.
"Attyou have to-do-is look at what hap
pened when gymnastics was accepted for
the Olympics. Corporations and the govern
ment start putting money into it and the
sport takes off. Tri-Masters' goal is to make
sure that the money won't stay on the other
side of town."
To be sure, the triathlon is an elite
sport. It's expensive to compete, just like
golf and tennis. According to the Triathlon
Federation, which has 30,000 members, the
average income of their membership is
$50,000 a year. The federation estimates
that it takes anywhere from $1,500 to
$2,000 to properly prepare someone to
compete. That sum covers the basics -- a
bike, wet suit, running and biking shoes,
biking helmet, sportswear, and other train
ing aids.
Since most minorities tend to earn less
than $50,000 annually, it's clear that lack of
nnoto by Lester Mike
The Til- Masters established a college scholarship fund designed to help students pay for their schooling. The
major principles In the Trt- Masters Future Mind Scholarship Series are (from left): Aurora Workman, Til-Masters
vice-president; Jim Flllpazi, sales manager-Ginseng Up National Soda; Helen O'Dell, division director of
sales-USA Pan-American Airlines; Diane Krumholtz, division manager-USA Pan-American Airlines; fend Alvin
Hartley, Tri-Masters presldent.1 2
financing is a major roadblock which keeps
most minority athletes from pursuing the
sport. But with the triathlon gaining
Olympic status, more sponsorships will be
available which will make it easier for
minorities to get involved.
It will still be another five years until
we see people receiving Olympic medals
for the triathlon. And that's enough time for
minority atheletes to emerge as Olympic
performers in the sport. Currently, there are
no blacks who are highly ranked on the pro
circuit. But there are few notable amateur
practitioners. Luther Gales, 51, was ranked
17th nationally in his age group. Gales is a
retired New York City policeman. Gary
McCloud, a former tennis instructor, is
known as one of the top competitors in the
Iron Man Triathlon.
As part of the Tri-Masters game plan to
encourage black participation in the sport,
club members make personal appearances
to speak at schools and community events
to promote the importance of having a
healthy body and strong mind.
"We're always pushing the message
about having a sound mind and body/
Workman said. "You can't work out for this
sport and not have a clean body."
Another part of the Tri-Master focus
on youth involves their Triathlon/Duathlon
Future Mind Scholarship Series, which is
being subsidized by the Ginseng Up Corp.
and Pan-American Airlines, This year, the
scholarship amount totals $6,000.
Future Mind is designed to award
funds to youngsters (ages 17-22) to help
them pay for their college expenses.
,The series consists of six events held
during the course of the year. Three events
remain for *91:
? July 4 -^Liberty-Liberty Triathlon in
New York and Philadelphia.
? Aug. 4 ? Budlight Sprintman
Triathlon in Key Biscayne, Fla.
? Oct. 5 - Parkway Dualthon at Allen
town, Pa.
"Our aim is to target urban areas and
increase awareness of the sport," Hartley
added. "In the coming years, this sport will
be so popular that you'll be able to go
almost anywhere in the country and enter a
triathlon."
For more information, write: Tri-Mas
ters, 303 Front Street, Hempstead, NY
1 1550, or call 516/486-0447.
- Blanton Birch