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

Austin skyline looms over the swim site at Lady Bird Lake.

Early morning pre-race wake up stretch in a very expansive transition

Austin women triathletes are strong

Super service at body marking

Super service at body marking

All systems go.

The elite wave is off in a mass of churning limbs.

Intensity in the first 200 yards.

Rounding the swim turnaround.

Volunteers help an elite up the steep exit ramp.

Biking past the State Capitol.

Elite cyclist heads downhill past the Capitol.

Flying round a corner at speed, on the edge.

Congress Street - triathletes ride one mile up and down Austin's famed thoroughfare.

A wounded warrior competes, on Memorial Day as a cowboy-hatted patriot waves Old Glory in appreciation.

Nick Sterghos, the 2009 USAT Duathlon National Champion, took 3rd at Cap Tex.

Riders come and go under a pedestrian bridge

Rider crosses Lady Bird Lake on the Congress Street Bridge.

Elite runner runs past Palmer Event Center.

Air Force Captain James Bales, an orthopedic surgeon who treats many wounded warriors from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, cools off after finishing second to elite winner Nathan White.