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Former USA Triathlon Presidents Rick Margiotta, the godfather of this Texas triathlon tradition, and Brad Davison, Margiotta's consiglieri, started the whole ball rolling in 1991. This Olympic distance classic is based in Lance Armstrong's back yard and takes over the streets of Texas's state capitol on Memorial Day for a sold out invasion by 3,000 age group triathletes. The race starts in Lady Bird Lake, named for the environmental pioneering wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Right out of transition, bikes cross the Congress Street Bridge, famed for the thousands of bats who take to the skies from its superstructure at dusk. It rolls up Congress Street to Austin's famed state capitol, winds through the city and along Town Lake, then winds up with a two lap run that ends at the foot of Austin's Convention and Performing Arts Center.

A year after an ITU race served as the centerpiece of the festivities, the Cap Tex Tri reverted to its age group roots. The elite wave was won by new pro Nathan White and Austin native Sienna Snyder. The key charity was the Wounded Warriors Project, and several wounded veterans joined the 3,000 age groupers celebrating Memorial Day with a joyous swim, bike and run on a sizzling hot Texas Monday.

All photos © Timothy Carlson