August 16, 2008
South Park, Waupaca, Wisconsin

It all began early in 2001 with some local businesses and some others in the community who wanted everyone to experience the beauty of the Waupaca Area and the Chain of Lakes.  The idea for a triathlon seemed to encompass all the wonders of the Waupaca area, great water, beautiful country side, and a great city.  We formed a board of Directors to oversee all the different aspects of the event. We still needed expertise to begin such an event and to make it successful.  Gloria West, former race director of the Green Bay Cell COM Marathon, was hired as our consultant.  She helped with all the details of bringing the triathlon life.  The board of directors decided to have the 1^st Annual Waupaca Area Triathlon.  Sponsors were then sought to help fund the event and the community response was astounding. The triathlon registrations were less than anticipated with fewer than 100 at the beginning of August.  About 2 weeks before the event the registrations came pouring in. We had 475 participants.  No one could have guessed that many people would come to the event.  The board, with the help of the community, and volunteers made the 2001 triathlon a great success. 

After the unsettling events of 9/11 we were unsure if the 2002 triathlon would bring as many participants.  We were very fortunate that it brought more participants.  The 2002 Waupaca Area Triathlon was an even bigger success with 650 participants and many more community volunteers.

2003 brought even more success to the Waupaca Area Triathlon.  We had almost 800 participants and 250 kids in the mini triathlon.  We had lots of volunteers and many positive comments from the community and participants. 

2005 was a huge success after an evening of stormy weather, we started 1/2 hour late but participants were anxious to get going on the course. We had almost 850 participants and 200+ kids in the mini triathlon.