From Fiesta Island to the Olympic Flame

In 1974, Don Shanahan had a crazy idea that became the first modern triathlon on Fiesta Island in San Diego, with Jack Johnstone designing the course. As Los Angeles prepares for the 2028 Olympic Games, Don tells the story of how it all began—a legacy worth carrying forward.

Vintage-style Fiesta Island San Diego 1974 graphic with silhouettes of a runner, cyclist, and swimmer against a sunset and palm trees
Vintage dark green event graphic reading “The First Modern Triathlon,” Fiesta Island, San Diego, September 25, 1974.
Don Shanahan at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, pictured at a stadium track alongside the headline “The Origin Story of Triathlon—Told by Its Founder.”

Don Shanahan had the crazy idea that started modern triathlon. Jack Johnstone designed the course that brought it to life. On September 25, 1974, their work came together at Fiesta Island in San Diego. Ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Tower View Stories pairs Shanahan’s firsthand account with original San Diego Track Club records to tell how the sport began.

Book cover for “Hidden in Plain Sight: Originator of the First Triathlon, 1974—The Don Shanahan Story,” featuring Don Shanahan beside a modern triathlon birthplace monument at Fiesta Island in San Diego.
Book cover for “The First Triathlon Course: The Jack Johnstone Story,” featuring a vintage black-and-white photo of Jack Johnstone holding a Mission Bay Triathlon course map.
Graphic featuring the years 1971–1979 and text about music from the 1970s
Book cover titled “Age of Endurance 1971: Running’s Growing Community,” featuring a black-and-white photo of runners at the starting line and Tower View Stories branding.
Black-and-white Tower View Stories poster reading “Age of Endurance 1972,” featuring San Diego track and field at the Munich Olympics.
Black promotional poster reading “Age of Endurance 1973 to Be Released” with “Tower View Stories” branding.
Black promotional graphic reading “Age of Endurance 1974,” “To Be Released,” and “Tower View Stories.”
Black poster reading “Age of Endurance 1975: To Be Released,” with “Tower View Stories” at the bottom.
Black title card reading “Age of Endurance: To Be Released Video” in white and orange text.
Promotional graphic reading “Age of Endurance 1976 to Be Released” from Tower View Stories.
Black title card reading “Age of Endurance: To Be Released Video” in cream and orange text
Black promotional graphic reading “Age of Endurance 1977,” “To Be Released,” and “Tower View Stories.”
Black title card reading “Age of Endurance: To Be Released Video” in cream and orange text.
Age of Endurance 1978 to Be Released, Tower View Stories title card
Black title card reading “Age of Endurance: To Be Released Video” in white and orange text.
Promotional graphic reading “Age of Endurance 1979” and “To Be Released,” with Tower View Stories branding on a black background.
Training planners, logs, and journals logo
Sprint Distance Triathlon Training Planner cover featuring running, cycling, and swimming silhouettes, Fiesta Island San Diego 1974.
Cover of a 12-week sprint distance triathlon training log and journal workbook featuring running, cycling, and swimming silhouettes.
Olympic Distance Training Planner cover for the first modern triathlon series, featuring swimming, cycling, and running silhouettes, Fiesta Island San Diego 1974.
Cover of a 16-week Olympic distance triathlon training log and journal workbook featuring running, cycling, and swimming silhouettes.
Title card reading “Endurance Pioneers of Multisport: San Diego Runners, Swimmers and Cyclists of the 1970s.”
Don Shanahan, Providence College cross country and lifetime runner. (Courtesy of Don Shanahan)

Don Shanahan, Providence College cross country and lifetime runner. (Courtesy of Don Shanahan)

Don Shanahan, First Triathlon Race Director (Courtesy Jack Johnstone family)

Don Shanahan, First Triathlon Race Director (Courtesy Jack Johnstone family)

Bill Phillips, First Place finisher of the First Triathlon, September 25, 1974. (Courtesy, Jack Johnstone family)

Bill Phillips, First Place finisher of the First Triathlon, September 25, 1974. (Courtesy, Jack Johnstone family)

Don Shanahan, Assistant US Attorney work-life balance, distance runner. (Courtesy Don Shanahan)

Don Shanahan, Assistant US Attorney work-life balance, distance runner. (Courtesy Don Shanahan)

Swimmer, West Chester State, PA, and a Math teacher, took 6th Place, First Triathlon, exiting the swim. (Courtesy Jack Johnstone Family)

Swimmer, West Chester State, PA, and a Math teacher, took 6th Place, First Triathlon, exiting the swim. (Courtesy Jack Johnstone Family)

"Jack won countless swimming trophies yet they stayed in boxes. The only award he ever displayed was the Hall of Fame trophy from Triathlete Magazine in 1986." - Betty Johnstone, wife of Jack Johnstone, Volunteer at the First Triathlon.

"Jack won countless swimming trophies yet they stayed in boxes. The only award he ever displayed was the Hall of Fame trophy from Triathlete Magazine in 1986." - Betty Johnstone, wife of Jack Johnstone, Volunteer at the First Triathlon.

Jack Johnstone the First Triathlon course architect and Bill Phillips, first place winner of the First Triathlon at David Pain's Biathlon.

Jack Johnstone the First Triathlon course architect and Bill Phillips, first place winner of the First Triathlon at David Pain's Biathlon.

Dr. Bill Phillips, Don Shanahan, and Jack Johnstone. (Courtesy of the Johnstone Family collection)

Dr. Bill Phillips, Don Shanahan, and Jack Johnstone. (Courtesy of the Johnstone Family collection)

41st Anniversary Roll Call at Mission Bay, San Diego, 2015. (Photo by Thao Vu)

41st Anniversary Roll Call at Mission Bay, San Diego, 2015. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Bob Letson, 8th Place Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary, 2014. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Bob Letson, 8th Place Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary, 2014. (Photo by Thao Vu)

John Collins, 22nd Finisher (reconciled results) and Judy Collins, 31st Finisher of the First Triathlon, arrive at the 40th Anniversary on their bikes. Four years later, they created and organized the first Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon on Oahu in 1978

John Collins, 22nd Finisher (reconciled results) and Judy Collins, 31st Finisher of the First Triathlon, arrive at the 40th Anniversary on their bikes. Four years later, they created and organized the first Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon on Oahu in 1978. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Flo Squires, 29th Finisher and Gail Hanner, 33rd Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary 2014, sitting on the dedication rock, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Flo Squires, 29th Finisher and Gail Hanner, 33rd Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary 2014, sitting on the dedication rock, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Bob Pothoff, 37th Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary 2014 before the unveiling of the dedication rock, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Bob Pothoff, 37th Finisher of the First Triathlon at the 40th Anniversary 2014 before the unveiling of the dedication rock, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. (Photo by Thao Vu)

Donna Gookin, 42nd Place Finisher, with Dave Pain receiving awards from San Diego Track Club. (Courtesy of Donna Gookin)

Donna Gookin, 42nd Place Finisher, with Dave Pain receiving awards from San Diego Track Club. (Courtesy of Donna Gookin)

Tom Warren (left) and Bill Phillips, shown here after they teamed up to win the 1976 Triathlon Relay. (Re-imaged, Courtesy San Diego Track Club)

Tom Warren (left) and Bill Phillips, shown here after they teamed up to win the 1976 Triathlon Relay. (Re-imaged, Courtesy San Diego Track Club)

Tom Warren won the 1979 Ironman Hawaii on Oahu—the second Ironman competition ever held. He finished in 11:15:56. His victory and the subsequent Sports Illustrated feature helped bring national attention to the event.

Tom Warren won the 1979 Ironman Hawaii on Oahu—the second Ironman competition ever held. He finished in 11:15:56. His victory and the subsequent Sports Illustrated feature helped bring national attention to the event.

Jack Johnstone and Dave Pain, Dispea Race. Dave pioneered masters track and field in the United States and organized the Mission Bay birthday biathlon that helped inspire the creation of the first modern triathlon. (Courtesy Jack Johnstone Family)

Jack Johnstone and Dave Pain, Dispea Race. Dave pioneered masters track and field in the United States and organized the Mission Bay birthday biathlon that helped inspire the creation of the first modern triathlon. (Courtesy Jack Johnstone Family)

"Paying your dues matters. The very first triathlon in 1974 wasn't free, it cost a dollar. One dollar doesn't sound like much, but it turned a workout into a race. It meant framework, results, and bragging rights... That first dollar proved it was re

"Paying your dues matters. The very first triathlon in 1974 wasn't free, it cost a dollar. One dollar doesn't sound like much, but it turned a workout into a race. It meant framework, results, and bragging rights... That first dollar proved it was real." - Bob Babbit, Co-founder, Challenged Athletes Foundation & Competitor Magazine - IRONMAN (R) & USA Triathlon (R) Hall of Famer, Media Host/Author

50th Anniversary in 2025, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. Don Shanahan reunited with Jack Johnstone's family who were volunteers at the First Triathlon. Left to right: Joel Johnstone, Don Shanahan, Betty Johnstone, Kristin Baez, Leysa Gentillon. (Photo

50th Anniversary in 2025, Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA. Don Shanahan reunited with Jack Johnstone's family who were volunteers at the First Triathlon. Left to right: Joel Johnstone, Don Shanahan, Betty Johnstone, Kristin Baez, Leysa Gentillon. (Photo by Thao Vu)