O.C. Triathlon Attracts a Big-Time Field

An increase in prize money and the lure of winning a new car have helped the Mazda/Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon attract one of the most competitive elite fields in triathlon history.

Both the men’s and women’s winners of the event, which begins at 7 a.m Sunday at Lake Mission Viejo, will receive a Mazda MX-5 Miata. The overall prize purse has been increased to $25,000.

Two-time defending champion Brad Kearns of Cool, Calif., 1990 world champion Greg Welch of Encinitas and Mike Pigg of Arcata, Calif., who won nine of the 14 triathlons he entered last year, head the list of elite men.

Kearns, who set the Mission Viejo course record (1 hour 49 minutes 33 seconds) in 1990, is obviously expecting to make it three victories in a row. He has already informed race officials he would like a blue Miata.

Defending champion Karen Smyers of Medford, Mass., Colleen Cannon of Nederland, Colo., a four-time winner of the Mission Viejo event, and four-time Hawaii Ironman champion Paula Newby-Fraser of Encinitas are among the top women entered.

Also competing in the Olympic-class distance event--which includes a 1,500-meter swim, a 40-kilometer cycle ride and a 10-kilometer run--will be 1991 Elite Masters division winner Bill Leach, a Corona del Mar High School history teacher.

The event, which also will include competition among more than 100 corporate relay teams and open relay teams, is expected to raise more than $80,000 in support of the performing arts.