The 12 finishers of the original Hawaii Ironman Triathlon held 45 years ago, on February 18, off the coast of Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach, have been announced as the 12th induction class of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame.
The 12 finishers of the original Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XII include:
• Gordon Haller
• John Dunbar
• Dave Orlowski
• Ian Emberson
• Sterling Lewis
• Tom Knoll
• Henry Forrest
• Frank Day
• John Collins
• Archie Hapai
• Dan Hendrickson
• Harold Irving
“There is no more iconic triathlon event than Ironman Hawaii. For many athletes, qualifying for this race is the pinnacle of their triathlon journey,” said Steve Sutherland, Chair of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Executive Committee.
“On the morning of that initial event in 1978, 15 athletes started off for what was then a great unknown, competing over the now famous distances of 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. Twelve of those athletes finished, and we are honoured to include them in this class of inductees into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame.”
The USA Triathlon Hall Fame serves to recognize those individuals and groups who have demonstrated excellence in every aspect of multisport, and helping to inspire others. Founded in 2008, it has recognized some of the best performances and contributions in the sport’s nearly 50-year history. This year’s class brings the total number of inductees to 59.
Inductees will be honoured at a premier gala hosted by the USA Triathlon Foundation on Thursday, August 3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in conjunction with the 2023 USA Triathlon Nationals (August 4-6). The gala will be hosted at Discovery World, starting at 18:15 CT.
Mike Reilly, legendary announcer and a member of USA Triathlon’s Hall of Fame and IRONMAN Hall of Fame, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. New this year, the gala will include recognition of the winners of USA Triathlon’s annual Multisport Awards and Athlete of the Year Awards, presented by Wahoo Fitness.
The festivities for the evening will include a VIP cocktail event and Meet & Greet happy hour presented by TicketSocket, dinner, presentation and awards, and a silent auction.
All proceeds from the gala benefit the USA Triathlon Foundation, which serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants.
Individual tickets are US$150, and tables for 10 individuals are available for US$1,250. Limited VIP tables are available for US$2,750, and sponsorship opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Inductees by Class:
Induction Class I (Induction ceremony held January 17, 2009, in Colorado Springs, CO)
Judy Flannery (Age-Group Athlete)
Jon Gray Noll (Contributor)
Verne Scott (Contributor)
Karen Smyers (Elite Athlete)
Sheila Taormina (Elite Athlete)
Induction Class II (Induction ceremony held February 13, 2010, in Colorado Springs, CO)
Jim Curl (Contributor)
Barb Lindquist (Elite Athlete)
Paula Newby-Fraser (Elite Athlete)
Valerie Silk (Contributor)
Carl Thomas (Contributor)
Induction Class III (Induction ceremony held January 15, 2011, in Colorado Springs, CO)
Susan Bradley-Cox (Age-Group Athlete)
Dave McGillivray (Contributor)
Dave Scott (Elite Athlete)
Induction Class IV (Induction ceremony held May 10, 2012, in San Diego, CA)
Mark Allen (Elite Athlete)
Ethel Autorino (Age-Group Athlete)
Bob Babbitt (Contributor)
Sally Edwards (Contributor)
Scott Molina (Elite Athlete)
Scott Tinley (Elite Athlete)
Induction Class V (Induction ceremony held April 18, 2013, in San Diego, CA)
Missy LeStrange (Age-Group Athlete)
Jim MacLaren (Contributor)
Julie Moss (Contributor)
Induction Class VI (Induction ceremony held June 26, 2014, in Chicago, IL)
Sister Madonna Buder (Age-Group Athlete)
John and Judy Collins (Contributors)
Mike Pigg (Elite Athlete)
Tom Warren (Contributor)
Induction Class VII (Induction ceremony held April 18, 2015, in Boston, MA)
Bill Bell (Age-Group Athlete)
Tim DeBoom (Elite Athlete)
Dan Empfield (Contributor)
Karen McKeachie (Age-Group Athlete)
Carlos Moleda (Age-Group Athlete)
Susan Williams (Elite Athlete)
Induction Class VIII (Induction ceremony held January 16, 2016, in Colorado Springs, CO)
Harriet Anderson (Age-Group Athlete)
Roger Brockenbrough (Age-Group Athlete)
Ken Glah (Elite Athlete)
Siri Lindley (Elite Athlete)
Induction Class IX (Induction ceremony held August 9, 2018, in Cleveland, OH)
Hunter Kemper (Elite Athlete)
Mike Reilly (Contributor)
Donna Smyers (Age-Group Athlete)
James Ward (Age-Group Athlete)
Induction Class X (induction ceremony held January 25, 2020, in Tempe, AZ)
Cherie Gruenfeld (Contributor)
Dick and Rick Hoyt (Age-Group Athletes)
Mike Plant (Contributor)
Induction Class XI (induction ceremony held August 4, 2022, in Milwaukee, WI)
Laura Bennett (Elite Athlete)
Lesley Cens-McDowell (Age Group Athlete)
Gwen Jorgensen (Elite Athlete)
Robert Plant (Age Group Athlete)
Induction Class XII (induction ceremony to be held August 3, 2023, in Milwaukee, WI)
Original 12 Ironman finishers:
John Collins (Age Group Athlete)
Frank Day (Age Group Athlete)
John Dunbar (Age Group Athlete)
Ian Emberson (Age Group Athlete)
Henry Forrest (Age Group Athlete)
Gordon Haller (Age Group Athlete)
Archie Hapai (Age Group Athlete)
Dan Hendrickson (Age Group Athlete)
Harold Irving (Age Group Athlete)
Tom Knoll (Age Group Athlete)
Sterling Lewis (Age Group Athlete)
Dave Orlowski (Age Group Athlete)
