Field of (Triathlon) Dreams: The Story Behind the Triterium
Bo Lebastchi built it, but will they come?
Overhead view of the Triterium
“If you build it, they will come.” Was the famous refrain that led Kevin Costner to build a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield. Now, Bo Lebastchi wants athletes to train, race, and stay at his self-built, triathlon field of dreams.
Describe the Triterium for those who haven’t seen it yet.
TRITERIUM was a passion project of mine designed to be a private getaway for myself or any other tri freaks that wanted to escape to the sun and immerse themselves in everything triathlon. It consists of a 5-lane, 25-yard lap pool, and a .3-mile asphalt running and cycling track. It also has other goodies like a permanent start/finish line and transition area.
Additionally, for larger groups -this is an Airbnb property - there is both a cute 3 bedroom/2 bath house and two (100 sq ft) casitas (each with triple bunk beds), located in the "Athlete's Village" just behind the house. The "Athlete's Village" also has two outdoor showers, a porta-potty, a firepit, and a sweet fountain sitting area.
Where is it located?
It is in Indio Hills, California which is 18 miles from Palm Springs.
Why build Triterium? What was the genesis for this development?
I've always been a tri freak. I competed as an age grouper from the early 80s until around 2004. Then I started producing races. I loved it but, shockingly, it did not produce the money I'd hoped it would. Unfortunately, I also stopped competing during this time. So now, almost 20 years later and semi-retired. I wanted to enjoy my obsession with swimming, biking, and running the way I used to. So in purchasing this run-down property I did so with the idea of creating this triathlon oasis in mind. A “Field of Dreams” for triathletes. Additionally, I had become a fan of Super League Triathlon. This gave me the idea of a smaller self-contained cycling track that emphasized bike handling skills and power out of corners.
Triterium pool, transition, and finish
Who was it built for?
Me first and the entire triathlon world in a close second.
Was this development self-funded? Or were there outside investors?
Oh totally self-funded - much to my wife's dismay. The biggest money savings move was finding a large (technically temporary) event lap pool. It’s a little surreal to see 46,000 gallons of water above ground in a steel and vinyl encasement. It Doesn’t seem the way nature intended it, lol. But it was only $40,000. I say "only" when comparing it to the $250,000 cost an inground pool of the same size would have been.
Triterium pool
What kind of events will be held at Triterium?
As of 2023 we have an event available throughout the year called The Time Trial (TheTimeTrial.com). It consists of a 300 yd Swim, 3-mile Bike, .9 mile Run. We were thrilled to have recently hosted the US Olympic Development Project Podium team, who all raced the event and destroyed it!
Athletes race this event by appointment only, one person at a time. Additionally, In 2024, I am hoping to launch an Eliminator Triathlon. This will take place over a day or two on a specific date(s) with the fastest participants advancing to the next round until there is one champion.
Are there plans for future expansion?
I think I will always be working on the next thing, expanding gradually but also tightening and tweaking the existing structures. The greatest gift of the property has been all the projects (some small and some large) it has allowed me to build. I love doing the work myself. Bringing in outside help only when necessary.
My next project will be my version of the small chapel near Ironman Hawaii. The one that Mark Allen famously went to ask the Island for strength in 1989. It was that year that he finally defeated Dave Scott in the Iron War. It will be a small area where people can meditate and even host the occasional wedding.