Olympic hopes to burn in San Diego

With its temperate climate, countless outdoor activities and rather health-conscious population, it is no wonder that San Diego is the birthplace of the triathlon. In 1974, the San Diego Track Club — spearheaded by Jack Johnstone and Don Shanahan — held the first-ever swim-bike-run competition to be dubbed a “triathlon” at Fiesta Island. Just 46 competitors participated in the modest inaugural event. This year — nearly 40 years later — 150 of the world’s top triathletes will descend upon the Mecca of the sport for the 2012 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon, competing to fill coveted slots on their countries’ Olympic teams. The three-day multi-sport event, which will take place through Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach and La Jolla from May 10-12, marks the second of eight stops around the globe in the world-class series. Olympics hopefuls — including top American triathletes vying to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team — will take off on a 1.5-kilometer swim in Bonita Cove, transition to a 40-kilometer bike ride through Pacific Beach and La Jolla, and finish up with a 10-kilometer run in South Mission Beach. Up to 3,000 amateurs will also have the opportunity to compete along the same route as the Olympic trial athletes in Olympic or sprint distance races on May 12. “This is the birthplace of the sport, and for us to actually have a course that starts near Fiesta Island — the first place of the sport — is pretty magical,” said Rob Urbach, CEO of USA Triathlon, during a press announcement at the San Diego Hall of Champions. “This will be a pretty good commercial for the city of San Diego.” USA Triathlon leaders enlisted the aid of the San Diego Sports Commission to help secure San Diego as a location for the worldwide series, bringing the triathlon back to its roots in Mission Bay — but with a great deal more fanfare. “One of the things that we’ve established as one of our goals with the sports commission is to try to reposition San Diego as an active participant in lifestyle sports and being a major participant in world-class sports, particularly using the beach areas — Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla — so that we can really show off the iconic views of San Diego,” said Al Kidd, president of the San Diego Sports Commission. “It truly is an opportunity for San Diego to re-imprint itself as a major player in this kind of event.” The course highlights many of the treasures coastal communities have to offer, including a running path on the beach and bayside boardwalks, a cycling route up to Mt. Soledad, and stunning coastal views en route. “We worked through a number of options for courses. We began to work with the city and the planning groups, and ultimately, we got a course committed that we’re very, very excited about,” said Kidd. Even with the excitement depicted by organizers and participants of the event, the course poses traffic concerns to some area residents and merchants, who argue that street closures in South Mission Beach will be a nightmare. “Closing down Mission [Boulevard] entirely would not allow anyone to get in or out of South Mission Beach,” said Bob Ruane, president of the Mission Beach Town Council (MBTC). “There is good concern on all sides. A lot of people would like these events to come to the beach and showcase the area, and a lot of other people don’t.” After vetting concerns on both sides, MBTC representatives voted in favor of sending a letter in support of the event, although “event organizers lacked numerous specifics and all agree that the event will cause significant inconvenience,” according to the MBTC’s January meeting minutes. Members of the Mission Beach Precise Planning Board (MBPPB), on the other hand, voted not to support the event at their February meeting. “Merchants, residents and board members expressed concerns about the upcoming event, the short notice given to the community, the dates selected and the traffic congestion due to road closures,” said MBPPB Chairwoman Debbie Watkins. “The event is being sold as a two-day event, but with setup and cleanup, it turns out it will impact Mission Beach 100 percent for four days.” Board members suggested other locations like Fiesta Island, but they were told that Mission Beach was the organizers’ desired location, said Watkins. “It was pointed out that particular weekend was Mother’s Day, and business owners were concerned about loss of business at restaurants and shops,” read MBPPB’s February meeting minutes. Although the event’s organizers have not yet received permits from the city, Carolyn Wormser, executive director of San Diego Special Events, said that is “fairly typical” for events of this size and scale since a large number of regulatory agencies — including the health department, fire department, police department, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Commission, San Diego Gas & Electric and the city Park and Recreation Department — must sign off on the event. “There are many moving targets,” she said. “Since [organizers] initially reached out to the community, they have made considerable changes, particularly collapsing the timing to make streets open longer than originally anticipated. We take seriously the feedback we get from the community.” A community relations coordinator has been established to field concerns and answer questions about the event that will be hitting the beach neighborhoods, said Wormser. For more information about the event or to issue a specific concern, call (619) 752-0822. Wormer said messages will be returned within 72 hours, and the line will also be maintained on the weekend of the event. For more information about the ITU World Triathlon series, visit www.wts.triathlon.org. The event will be streamed live on Universal Sports’s website, www.universalsports.com and ITU World Triathlon’s website, www.triathlonlive.tv.com. The elite men’s and women’s triathlons will also be televised on Universal Sports on May 19 and 20. Visitors can take part in the race’s free expo, which will feature a number of food booths and vendors showcasing the industry’s top brands and products, at Bonita Cove Park. Public viewing areas will also be available along the route and seating will be available at the finish line near Bonita Cove Park. SCHEDULE FOR THE ITU WORLD TRIATHLON THURSDAY, May 10 • 1 to 6 p.m., expo at Bonita Cove Park • 5:30 p.m., USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Banquet at Bahia Resort FRIDAY, May 11 • 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Expo at Bonita Cove Park • 2 to 5 p.m., road closures along affected routes • 3 p.m., elite women’s race • 5 p.m., women’s elite awards ceremony SATURDAY, May 12 • 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., road closures along affected routes • 6:15 a.m., age group Olympic distance and Olympic relay • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., expo at Bonita Cove Park • 8:45 a.m., age group sprint distance • 11:30 a.m., awards ceremony age group for Olympic distance • 12:30 p.m., awards ceremony age group for sprint distance • 2:30 p.m., elite men’s race • 4:30 p.m., men’s elite awards ceremony S