Bob Babbitt - Ironman & USAT Hall of Famer - Co-Founder Challenged Athletes Foundation

2022-08-15

For over 40 years Bob Babbitt has influenced the world of Triathlon for the better. He started racing triathlons way back in the late 1970s. He did his first Ironman Triathlon in 1980 on the island of Oahu and ended up completing five more when the event moved to the Big Island. He has been inducted into both the Ironman Hall of Fame and the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. He also co-founded Competitor Magazine and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, plus he created Competitor Radio, and Babbittville radio. He’s traveled the world interviewing the greats of the sport with his show Breakfast with Bob.

For over 40 years Bob Babbitt has influenced the world of Triathlon for the better.

He started racing triathlons way back in the late 1970s. He did his first Ironman Triathlon in 1980 on the island of Oahu and ended up completing five more when the event moved to the Big Island.

He has been inducted into both the Ironman Hall of Fame and the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. He also co-founded Competitor Magazine and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, plus he created Competitor Radio, and Babbittville radio.

He’s traveled the world interviewing the greats of the sport with his show Breakfast with Bob.

His passion for the sport and willingness to always put others first and help them achieve greatness is truly inspiring.

He also co-founded Competitor Magazine and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, plus he created Competitor Radio and the Muddy Buddy Ride and Run Series.

When people ask about his best finish in the Ironman World Championship, he is quick to tell them that back in 1980 he finished in the top 60. Hey, who needs to know that there were only 108 people in the race?

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"The Greg Bennett Show"

Timestamps

2:02 - Interview starts

5:46 - You can be faster - Bob's passionate description about why triathlon is the ultimate aging sport for everyone!

Triathlon is an equal opportunity abuser

6:57 - Why it's imperative why we need to show young people the benefits of triathlon.

11:49 - The Journey of triathlon from Bob Babbitt's eyes. (listener warning; Sit back, and prepare to laugh and learn) Bob participated in the third ever Ironman Triathlon in 1980 – there were only 108 entrants in that race, and there were only 15 in the field the year before. Bob purchased a second hand bike for $75 from a local police auction.

Mile 90 I got a root beer snow cone for a food hand-off

24:36 - Through passionate people like Bob Babbitt the sport of Triathlon grew exponetially through the 80's. Bob explains the day Julie Moss captivated television screens across America. This is the video that Bob explains from that event in 1982.

34:06 - After 40 plus years, Bob self reflects on the greatest highs he has experienced. Bob describes a wonderful story about Dave Scott and Mark Allen.

40:47 - Book reference: Mark Allen's Total Triathlete - written by Mark Allen & Bob Babbitt.

43:37 - The Mark Allen and Dave Scott rivilry is beautifully explained by Bob who had a front row seat and friendship to it playing out.

46:03 - Bob explains his involvement and how it all started in the Challenged Athlete Foundation. Most insurance companies do not cover adaptive sports equipment and many individuals with physical challenges simply cannot afford it. The Challenged Athlete Foundation has raised over $123 million. It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. If you are in a position to donate to this amazing cause, please do.

The person who wins the race isn't the one who goes the fastest ... it's the person who slows down the least ...

52:48 - All the details about The Million Dollar Challenge.

55:00 - Bob explains some of the biggest impacts he has seen through the Foundation over the decades. One particular athlete - Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah has a tremendous and inspiring story. Emmanual was born in Ghana missing his tibia in one leg. In the Country of Ghana, 20% of the population is disabled. In Ghana, your family is 'cursed' when born with any kind of disability, and his mother was told to abandon her son in the jungle.

1:03:32 - Bob describes the challenges and highlights he has experienced through the Foundation.

1:07:56 - Greg abd Bobbie have some fun and talk through their opinions on the following;