Photos: Great American Triathlon on the American River in Sacramento

Sandra Sanders, of Team Aces of Sacramento, gets encouragement from a duck during the Great American Triathlon on Saturday. Sanders was competing in her 25th triathlon at the event. The unusual “no-swim” triathlon — which replaces a paddle leg with the water element — was celebrating its 49th edition. It began at Eppie’s Great Race in 1974.

José Luis Villegas

[email protected]

The Great American Triathlon celebrated its 49th edition on Saturday, with hundreds of participants taking part in the run-bike-boat event on the American River.

The event, once known as Eppie’s Great Race, started in 1974 and is considered the first modern triathlon.

The 24.4-mile route begins with a 5.8-mile run west from the William Pond Recreation Area. Participants will bike 12.5 miles east from the Guy West Bridge to the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge and paddle 6.4 miles downstream on the American River to River Bend Park.

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Ben Lawry of Durham, North Carolina, finished with the fastest time: 1 hour, 50 minutes and 30 seconds. The fastest female finisher was Kristi Capello of Carmichael, who had a time of 2:08:33.

Marisa Crawford of Fair Oaks, right, stretches with Abby Liske of Sacramento before the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024. José Luis Villegas [email protected]

Runners will depart from the starting line of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024. José Luis Villegas [email protected]

Top finisher Ben Lawry of Durham, NC, left, starts the second leg of the Great American Triathlon at the Guy West Bridge on Saturday. José Luis Villegas [email protected]

Daryl Ganas of Rancho Cordova takes a selfie on his kayak as he begins the final leg of the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024. José Luis Villegas [email protected]

Jennifer Reents of Sacramento raises her arms after completing the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024. José Luis Villegas [email protected]

Rene Torres, of Sacramento, right, crosses the finish line with Javier Ramirez, of South San Francisco, left, with a time of 2:36:27 at the Great American Triathlon on Saturday, July 20, 2024. José Luis Villegas [email protected]