Eppie's Great Race #1 
July 27, 1974 - Rancho Cordova, California  USA
51 Teams - Run 2.8 Miles, Paddle 5 Miles, Bike 4.7 Miles

#1 1:26:45 - Team Ram (named after a local restaurant): 
Runner Jim O'Neil
Cyclist Don Pickett
Paddler Gunther Hammersbach - formerly of West Germany and a member of the U.S. National Kayak Team

Great Team?: 
Runner Burnett Miller, former Mayor of Sacramento
Cyclist Larry Turner, Executive Director of the Aquarian Effort
Paddler Eppie


"The key to the whole thing was to get a good water man," Don Pickett said, espousing advice that
is still true. 

The runner's course was 2.8 miles, from Eppaminondas Restaurant to Lower Sunrise Park on the American River. 
Then paddlers stroked 5 miles to Rio Americano High School. 
Cyclists rode 4.7-miles west on American River Drive, then north on Watt Avenue to the finish.

Numerous challenges had to be overcome in this early attempt at mixing three athletic activities. 
Two examples:
 1) only four days before the event Eppie was told he was required to have a permit
 2) he was informed that if any cyclist did not stop during the race for a stop sign or a red light, the cyclist would immediately be arrested! 

Eppie quickly got the permit, and he emphatically cautioned the cyclists. 
Few, if any, cyclists stopped for red lights, but no arrests were made.

Just about any type of watercraft other than motorized was allowed to enter the race,
 including three sculls, two of which overturned. 

The race entry fee was $10 and nobody even thought about printing up race T-shirts.

Thirty-seven teams finished and were rewarded by a Dixieland jazz band, free beer, and hot dogs. 

Prizes included a Trek bicycle, rafts, and jogging warm-up suits. 

The Aquarian Effort, a local drug rehabilitation center, was the designated event charity.