Victor Harbor Triathlon is approaching its 30th anniversary celebration in March, an incredible milestone for the event and surrounding community to reach.
Race Director Jason Delfos, has been involved with the event and the sport for many years, and shared that the most rewarding part of his role is helping to continue the legacy this race holds.
“The most rewarding part of being the Race Director is continuing the legacy that Sid James worked so hard to build,” Delfos said.
“This event is a cornerstone of South Australian triathlon, and carrying that forward feels like an incredible responsibility and privilege.
“Seeing athletes of all levels come together, sharing stories, achieving goals, and creating memories on race day makes all the hard work behind the scenes worth it.
“Reaching 30 years is a testament to the hard work and vision of Sid James and the countless people who’ve been part of this journey.
“It’s an incredible achievement for our triathlon community.
“This milestone shows how strong the bond is between the athletes, volunteers, and everyone who’s contributed to keeping the spirit of this event alive.
“For me, it’s a moment to reflect on its history while also building excitement for its future.”
Sid James was a beloved figure in the South Australian triathlon community, known for his unwavering dedication and the deep bond he shared with his community.
As Race Director, he played a pivotal role in organising events, including the iconic Victor Harbor Triathlon, which became a hallmark of local endurance sport.
Sid’s passion extended beyond race day, as he worked tirelessly to support athletes, including those with disabilities, and was known for his inspiring perseverance despite being a quadriplegic.
His legacy lives on through the race and the countless lives he touched with his commitment to inclusivity and community spirit, now honored with the ‘Sid James Victor Harbor Triathlon’ named in his memory.
Another member of the triathlon community that was influenced heavily by Sid James, is Jesse Mortensen, the current Head Coach of Education at AusTriathlon.
“I first met Sid as a teenager in the late 90’s,” Mortensen said.
“I’m not sure how it was negotiated, but two years in a row my friends and I slept in Sid’s basement the night before the Victor Harbor Triathlon.
“He was busy organising things but still had the generosity to host three budding young triathletes.
“Sid’s impact on my life and my career has been immeasurable.
“His events were legendary, but more importantly, his spirit, determination and passion inspired those around him.
“The community felt compelled to help and felt privileged to be a part of Sid’s story in some way.
“From an athlete’s perspective, his races were always an annual must-do, and while the event has now changed location due to urban development, I think almost every triathlete in South Australia associates swimming in encounter lakes with fond memories of Sid and triathlon.
“From a professional standpoint, as a race director across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and home in Adelaide, I always tried to model what I did to Sid’s standards.
“He was the bar everyone was trying to get to.
“Later in Sid’s life, he and lifelong friend Kevin Fergusson took on the truly remarkable journey of becoming an Ironman.
“Kevin towed Sid in a boat, on a bike trailer and then pushed him in a custom running wheelchair for a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run.
“Kevin and Sid crossed the line together at Ironman WA back in 2018 and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house – what an inspirational journey.”
With the Victor Harbour Triathlon reaching its 30th year anniversary, and the name being recently renamed in Sid’s honour, Jesse hopes that the event continues to inspire the next generation of triathletes.
“We owe Pushing Limits an enormous debt, naming the event in Sid’s honour and also to capture the inspiring image of Sid and Kevin Fergusson’s journey towards Sid fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming an ironman,” he said.
“The naming of the race now, and the image of Sid and Kevin I hope, will inspire the new generation of triathletes to push their perceptions of what you can achieve and live like Sid, believing that almost anything is possible.
“It’s a true privilege to have met and stood in the same orbit as Sid.”
The Victor Harbor Triathlon is taking place this weekend on March 9, if you are interested in getting involved or want to stay up to date with all the results, head to https://pushinglimitsevents.com.au/sid-james-victor-harbor-triathlon/
