Big Richard
The Big Richard (or the BR RSR or the Big Richard Run Swim Run) is the world's longest and toughest ocean biathlon marathon. The brutal 43.2 km coastal biathlon marathon is organized by Matty Mitchell and held in Southern California from the Wedge in Newport Beach to the Queen Mary in Long Beach in September. The Big Richard, named after legendary Coach "Big" Richard Ghettwood Youth Sports Foundation of Long Beach, California, consists of 20 miles (32 km) total of soft sand running along the beaches of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica Beach, Sunset Beach, and Long Beach interspersed between a total of 7 miles (11.2 km) of roughwater ocean swimming through massive surf breaks and around 5 piers, 8 rock jetties, 3 rivers, 2 inlets and one big boat along the coasts of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and Long Beach.
The 22 September 2012 event was sponsored by the Big Red Bus and was inspired by The Mega. It culminated at the Queen Mary during the 2012 Global Open Water Swimming Conference. Matty Mitchell, Jon McMullen and Peter Joseph completed the 1st annual Big Richard in 7 hours 56 minutes.
The 2nd annual Big Richard was held on 21 September 2013.
Lifeguard Biathlons
Besides the 43.2 km Big Richard, lifeguard biathlons in Southern California also include the 20-mile Pier to Pier Quest from San Clemente Pier to Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, the Mega from Huntington Beach to Sunset Beach, and the 47-mile Super Quest from Trestles Beach to Seal Beach in Southern California.
External links
- Wipeouts And A Turnaround At The Wedge
- Marathon Run-Swim-Run Ends At The Hall Of Fame
- No Guts, No Glory With The Big Richard
- 3 Long Beach Waterman Complete The Big Richard
- Pier to Pier Quest Takes O.C. coastal adventurers on 20-mile trek
- The Long Quests Along Southern California Beaches
- Return to the Black Velvet Under Bright Planets
- World Open Water Swimming Association
