Q&A with Barry Siff from 5430 Sports on YOLO Triathlon + Chance to Win

Win an entry to the Yolo Triathlon: Sunday, August 17 at Aurora Reservoir

Easy Entry!

 1. Subscribe to the Catch Carri Newsletter and Share this Post!

Barry Siff  was ready to retire from directing triathlons… or so he thought. After selling  The 5430 Sports Ironman, he and his wife Jodee started brainstorming a new concept. The result: YOLO (“You Only Live Once) became their new brand. “It is so cool to associate with triathlon; as many of us just “go for it,” trying to do something we may not think we could ever do.,” says Flint.

Check out this Q&A with Barry to learn more about the race.

Q: What makes this tri stand out? 

As a USA Triathlon Certified Level 2 Race Director with over 15 years of race production experience – together with being a triathlete since 1986 – I know what triathletes look for in a great event, and we deliver.  We did with our triathlon series in Boulder (Boulder Peak, 5430 Long Course – now Ironman 70.3), and we will in Aurora with YOLO.  In addition, YOLO is a particularly excellent race for beginners.  The Sprint course is entirely closed to traffic, the swim is short and very well guarded, and the Olympic course even offers a relay division.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge in coordinating the race? 

Even though we are using the identical course as Rattlesnake, we are still starting from scratch with permitting, volunteers, advertising & marketing, etc.  In addition, there are now so many choices for people with different events … which is great; but, makes it harder to have big numbers – and know how many people to expect – for your race.  Also, spending the winter and spring full-time in Tucson made some of the coordination a challenge.

Q: How did you get involved with fitness? What keeps you motivated? 

I was a collegiate tennis player; but, stopped that once I did my first marathon in 1981.  That led to my first tri in 1986, and I have never looked back.  I love staying fit and seeking new goals.  Whether it’s a marathon or an Ironman, or simply getting faster on the track or in the pool, I find that having goals and knowing how important and positive it is to stay fit and healthy keeps me highly motivated.

Q: What do you most love about Colorado? 

Colorado is the epicenter of health, wellness, fitness, and environmental consciousness – all super important things to Jodee and I.  The lifestyle, the love of the outdoors and healthy eating, and the positive happy spirit of Colorado all help make the State a very special place to live, train, and race.

Q: What is something readers would be surprised to know about you? 

I always say “in my former life,” I was a straight-up business exec – Sr. VP of a $7B corporation. I left that in 1998, and five months later was adventure racing full-time (think Eco-Challenge), and putting on 24-hour adventure races by the fall of 1998.  Pursuing my passion!