Jazz Fest Has A Triathlon?!

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Jesse Hardman

Published May 1, 2015 at 9:00 AM EDT

The 16th annual Jazz Fest Triathlon

16 years ago New Orleans resident Hunter Higgins created a triathlon with some friends that revolved aroundJazz Fest. This "unsanctioned" event has a small footprint — think blocks of strenuous exercise, not miles. But it's been a way for a growing local group of participants to show their New Orleans pride.

Triathlon founder Hunter Higgins and Jack Varuso do the watermelon sacrifice.

Triathlete Brian Spitzfadel screams encouragement and orders.

Finishers of the Jazz Fest Triathalon run around the racetrack.

Triathletes regain their composure and drink a beer in anticipation of swimming across Bayou St. John.

Participants swim across Bayou St. John to complete the triathlon.

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Jesse Hardman

As the new Coastal Reporter, Jesse Hardman will draw on 15 years of worldwide experience in radio, video and print journalism. As a radio reporter he has reported for NPR, BBC, and CBC, and for such familiar programs as Marketplace, This American Life, Latino USA, and Living on Earth. He served as a daily news reporter and news magazine producer for WBEZ in Chicago.

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