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Gordon Haller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gordon Haller
Medal record
Men's triathlon
Representing  United States
Ironman World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1978 Men's race

Gordon Haller (born 1950) is the winner of the first Ironman Triathlon.

Biography

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Haller grew up in Forest Grove, Oregon and earned a degree in physics at Pacific University.

On Oahu, Hawaii in 1978, Haller competed in Navy Commander John Collins’ race which combined the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Around-Oahu Bike Race, and the Honolulu Marathon. Of the 15 competitors, 12 finished what today is called the Ironman, and Gordon Haller was the first champion, with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, 58 seconds. In 1979, Haller placed fourth behind winner, Tom Warren.[1]

Haller commented about the success of Ironman, nearly 30 years later in a 2007 interview with Competitor Magazine "It’s just an amazing experience... certainly something I didn’t expect to have happen way back in the beginning."

References

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  1. ^ McDermott, Barry. "To Earn That Title, Tom Warren Victoriously Swam 2.4 Miles Through Rough Seas, Bicyled 112 Miles And All Ran A Marathon, All In A Single Day Of Agony". si.com.
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