DREAM TURNS INTO REALITY LONG JOURNEY TOOK THREE YEARS.Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer Mark Allen Mark Allen is the name of:
``If I called him a nutty professor, that would be kind of harsh,'' said Allen, a retired professional triathlete tri·ath·lete n. One who competes in a triathlon. who will be NBC's Olympic triathlon commentator. ``He's kind of a dreamer. He's got big plans and big dreams.'' Caress, with excitement in his eyes, told of a day there would not only be a triathlon here, it would take the participants on a whirlwind tour of some of the city's famous spots - as the City of Los Angeles
After a three-year journey of love, frustration and caressing the process through the political structure, Caress has brought the first City of Los Angeles Triathlon into being. It goes off today at 9 a.m. (6:30 start for amateurs) with a .9-mile swim at Venice Beach, followed by a 24-mile bike ride across the Westside and Hollywood to Downtown, and a 10- kilometer run through parts of Downtown and Elysian Park Elysian Park can mean:
It also has a field some say is stronger than the Olympic triathlon that goes off this week in Sydney. Australian Chris McCormack Chris McCormack may refer to:
 It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into . of Great Britain Great Britain, officially United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, constitutional monarchy (2005 est. pop. 60,441,000), 94,226 sq mi (244,044 sq km), on the British Isles, off W Europe. The country is often referred to simply as Britain. and Belgian Luc Van Lierde Luc Van Lierde (born April 14, 1969 in Bruges) is an athlete from Belgium, who has been competing in triathlon since 1990. He twice won the Hawaii Ironman competition, the most prestigious triathlon event, and became world champion, having won every other title in his discipline, , who has won the holy grail of triathlons, the Ironman. On the women's side, American Barb Lindquist, who missed the Olympics because of a bad day at the Trials, is the favorite. But watch for Australia's Jackie Gallagher Jackie Gallagher can refer to:
Allen says the field also is a tribute to Caress. ``Not everyone has guts to go for it,'' Allen said. ``He must have put magic dust on L.A., because it doesn't take this short of time (to put on one).'' Caress, born in South Central, happened on triathlons while at UC Irvine on a golf scholarship. A friend claimed golfers aren't real athletes, so Caress proved him wrong by competing in the most extreme sport he could find. He entered a triathlon in Newport Beach. While racing in it, Caress fell in love with the camaraderie - so many people rooted for complete strangers, and the winners waited at the finish line for other finishers. Plus, he enjoyed competing in three sports, knowing there's always some aspect to improve. It was that love of triathlons that eventually landed Caress a job putting on the Cleveland triathlon. Under Caress, Cleveland hosted the World Championship in 1993. That got Caress thinking: Why not in L.A.? ``It makes no sense not to have one,'' Caress said. ``The biggest races are in Chicago and Cleveland, but most participants are from the Sun Belt. ``I get tired of people bagging on L.A. I don't think they understand it,'' Caress said. ``I don't think they've seen it. It's time it has a better reputation.'' Caress figured the best way to accomplish that was to plan a course that passed numerous landmarks: Muscle Beach, Hollywood Boulevard, the La Brea Tar Pits La Brea Tar Pits Fossil field in Hancock Park (formerly Rancho La Brea), Los Angeles, Calif., U.S. It is the site of “pitch springs” oozing crude oil, formerly used by local Indians for waterproofing, and was explored by Gaspar de Portolá's expedition in , Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center are five. But he also wanted to highlight lesser-known points, such as the Angels Point Trail in Elysian Park. On a clear day, a hiker gets a panoramic view of the downtown skyline. ``What I like about the course,'' he said, ``is to do a race in Los Angeles, Los Angeles is so spread out, you can't have a race that starts and finishes in the same spot. We wanted a race for (out-of-state racers). You say, 'Venice Beach, Staples Center, Hollywood Boulevard, Dodger Stadium,' people say, 'I want to see it.' '' Although this is the first race, Caress knows the course is a success. He recently took 30 people through the bike and running portions, with two major results: First, he overheard one man telling another man, ``I felt like I just went through 80 countries.'' To which Caress said, ``You did.'' Second, an attorney congratulated Caress on the course with applause. Suddenly, 30 people clapped. For Caress, it was a dream come true. CAPTION(S): map Map: THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES TRIATHLON |
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