Eppie’s Great Race Runs Its Final Course Saturday In Sacramento
The end has come for this Sacramento tradition
By Marilyn Nelson on July 20, 2018
Eppie’s Great Race has been a staple of summertime in Sacramento for 45 years and will run its final course Saturday.
The race was a marketing idea by George Johnson who was looking for a way to get the word out about their family restaurant. Named Eppie’s Great Race, after his then 6 year old son, the race started back in 1974.
The three part race along the American River Parkway is considered the first modern triathlon with participants kayaking, biking and running, instead of the tradition swim, bike, run. Even though the family sold the restaurants, the race has lived on, until this year.
For its final year, Eppie’s Great Race is going out with a bang. They’re expecting a record number of participants, with more than 2,000 people registered. The final Eppie’s Great Race will kick off Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at William Pond Recreational Area.
