From Mark Allen Online: No triathlete has gained the recognition or success that Mark Allen has. After competing and losing in the Ironman Triathlon Championships six times, he emerged victorious in 1989, winning the most difficult one-day sporting event in the world.
It would be the first of six Ironman victories for Allen, the last coming in 1995 at age 37, making him the oldest champion ever. He has also excelled at the Olympic distance, winning the sport's inaugural World Championships in 1989 in Avignon, France, by more than a minute. He went undefeated in 10 trips to the Nice International Championships, and from 1988-1990 he put together a winning streak of 20 races.
Over the course of his racing career, which ended in 1996, he maintained a 90% average in top-three finishes. He was named Triathlete of the Year six times by Triathlete magazine, and in 1997 Outside magazine tabbed him The World's Fittest Man.
In this months show we talk to Mark about his whole career and what it took to be the greatest in such a hard sport.
LEGENDS OF TRIATHLON EPISODE 9 - MIKE PLANT
Author, photographer, journalist, freelance writer and entrepreneur, Mike Plant has been involved in competitive sports, sports journalism, marketing and event production, for more than 40 years. Mike was an early leader in the sport of triathlon, where as a journalist, photographer, media consultant and publisher he helped introduce the fledgling sport to a generation of mainstream journalists. Triathletemagazine in 1986 called him the “Dean of Triathlon Writers,” a modest accolade considering the number of triathlon there were at the time, but it was, if nothing else, indicative of his influence in the sport.
In this months show he shares some great stories from the early years.
LEGENDS OF TRIATHLON EPISODE 8 - SCOTT TINLEY
One of the Big 4, Scott Tinley was a early pioneer of the sport. The two time winner of the World Champs had many amazing victories in his long career. Outside of being an athlete he had a clothing range and also has done some great work on moving on from professional sport.
In this months show he shares many of the great stories from his long career.
LEGENDS OF TRIATHLON EPISODE 7 - SCOTT MOLINA
In our first interview with one of the 'Big 4' we have legend Scott Molina on the show. Scott is a great story tellin and this interview was one where he shared so many of his amazing memories. He shares how the sport grew from a little 'insiders' thing into what it is today. If you have a passion for triathlon you will love this interview.
LEGENDS OF TRIATHLON EPISODE 6 - MIKE PIGG
Mike Pigg is recognised as one of the toughest athletes ever. Here's what Macca said about Mike 'Mike Pigg, in my honest opinion, was the most hard-core racer the sport had ever seen. He was an absolute monster on the bike and had so much heart he was inspiring to watch. He was all heart and pushed himself so hard you could see it in his face. Actually I think Piggy won most of his races out of sheer heart, and is so often an athlete who is forgotten from this great era.'
In the late 80's there was a period where he was almost unbeatable. He was known for being an amazing biker and an all around good guy. On this months show he shares some great stories from his time in the sport.