5430 Long Course
Submitted by: Timothy Carlson
Added: Mon Aug 10 2009
When it started, the Boulder 5430 Long Course was a red-headed stepchild to the classic, sold out Boulder Peak triathlon. The first year they tried a full Iron-distance race and entries were scarce. The first time organizers tried a half-Iron distance event, there were 250 entries. But with small but very elite fields and a gorgeous course, race directors Barry and Jodee Siff nursed the long course to an artistic and business success, culminated with a sold out field of 1,400, four World Champions in the elite field (Chrissie Wellington - Ironman, Joanna Zeiger Ironman 70.3, Julie Dibens - Xterra and Leon Griffin – 2006 ITU Duathlon short course), and two blazing fast course records (Tim O’Donnell’s 3:45:51 and Julie Dibens’ 4:10:58.) All on a mild, sunny day in triathlon’s Rocky Mountain Mecca. With the sale of their Boulder races to the World Triathlon Corporation, Barry and Jodee bid a sweet, well-done adieu to one of the sport’s great races.
