The Boston Triathlon kicked off in South Boston on Saturday, celebrating the athletic achievements of Bostonians of all shapes, sizes, and ages in the cleanest urban watershed in the country.

“The first year we had 100 people,” said event director Mike O’Neil. “We only had a sprint, didn’t have an Olympic [distance event], the cyclists and runners were both on Day Boulevard, and we had to be done and out of here by 10.30 a.m.”

Now in its 17th year, the event’s course has expanded across Carson Beach and into Moakley Park with racers coming from across the country and even internationally, says O’Neil.

“And yet, our heart and soul is Boston – specifically South Boston. We’ve been here since 2009. So we have a foot in old school Southie, and we got a foot in current new school Southie, and our customers are both. It’s been really great to see the community embrace this event,” he added. 

The race requires year-round planning, and O’Neil and company do not just pack up and leave for the year once it’s complete. They partner with athletic groups, philanthropic efforts, and even the City of Boston itself to drive economic impact and spread charitable efforts into South Boston. He is particularly proud of their joint effort with the city called Swim Safe Boston, which he says was born out of this very race.

“So many kids don’t know how to swim, and Boston is surrounded by water, so it’s kind of a public health crisis in certain neighborhoods,” he said. “Swim Safe Boston has partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs for the pools and so far have provided over 7,000 free swim lessons and certified hundred of new lifeguards.” He hopes that by welcoming kids into the sporting world, the skills they pick up might help them later in life.

Likewise, O’Neil was most excited for the free Saturday youth programming. The ‘Kids Day’ programming included the Splash and Dash for children aged seven to 15 and the Fun Run for children six and under to walk, run, or crawl across a stretch of the triathlon course alongside their parents. 

“They’re our future, and we’re getting a lot of kids that wouldn’t otherwise be in sports because we made it completely free, and we’ve got great partners with Amazon and Meet Boston, which have supported our efforts,” he said. 

Sunday, as the sun rose over the Harbor Islands, adult competitors surrounded the McCormack Bath House for the triathlon proper. The race village and Michelob Ultra sponsored beer gardens were full of friends, family, and enthusiasts enjoying the weather and trying to keep an eye out for their favorite racer. 

Special guests Jack Flemming, the CEO of the Boston Athletic Association, Olympic triathlete Sarah True, and Martin Richard Foundation co-founder, Bill Richard, led the elite-tier relay race.

“I’m really, really impressed with how welcoming it is,” said Flemming. “It was nice to see the pre-race engagement, not just today but in the days leading up, being truly presented as an introduction in a ‘try it you might like it’ kind of way.”

He also praised how this kind of mass participatory race invites people of all walks of life to stand shoulder to shoulder for some light competition. “It’s an opportunity for people to get moving. It’s not only about the event, it’s about the process that goes into training, whether it be a little or a lot, and the healthy habits that can stick.”

Results for the Boston Triathlon can be found here.