Kurt Madden began his involvement in multi-sport events in the late 1970’s by competing in the annual Tug’s Tavern Swim, Run, Swim event in Pacific Beach, California. In 1979, Tom Warren, owner of Tug’s Tavern and winner of the 1979 Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, encouraged him to participate in this newly formed endurance event. Kurt and his wife, Kelly, headed to Oahu for the 1980 event. He had a great day, finishing 7th overall. He went back to the Ironman in ‘82 when the event was moved to the Big Island, where he finished 6th overall. From 1983 – 1985, he participated in numerous triathlons throughout the world, winning the Ultraman Triathlon, a three-day stage race that goes around the entire Big Island of Hawaii in ‘83 and ‘85. In ‘85, he also finished 10th at the Ironman in Hawaii and then took some time off from the sport to focus on being with young children and wife, Kelly.
In 1993, Kurt began actively running in numerous marathons and ultra-distance events and in 1994 finished 6th at the Hardrock 100 Mile Trail Run and Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run in Colorado and the opportunity to run with the Tarahumara Indians. In 1995, he won the USA Track and Field National Championship by running 140 miles and in 1997 returned to the Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run, finishing second overall.
In 2011, Kurt moved to Big Bear Lake, California, to serve as Superintendent of Schools and embraced the local athletic events such as snow-shoe racing, kayaking, trail running, and road biking. In 2013, he competed in the Hardrock 100 Mile Trail Run, Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run, and finished 7th overall as the oldest competitor in the Ultraman Triathlon. In 2015, Kurt was an All World Athlete, was ranked 1st in the world in his age group at the Ironman distance and won his age group at the North American Championship in Texas. In 2016, Kurt won his age group again at the North American Championship in Texas and is was ranked first in his age group at the Ironman All World Athlete Ironman distance.
On July 1, 2016 Kurt transitioned out of education after 33 years where he has served as a physical educator, interscholastic coach, science teacher, middle school and high school principal, and Superintendent of Schools. He transferred his passion for learning, teaching, coaching, mentoring, and working with people by launching TriPrime multi-sport and performance coaching consulting services. He is overjoyed about these new opportunities to coach people and provide them with a personalized touch to reach their goals and future aspirations. His master’s degree in exercise physiology, combined with numerous years of serving as a swimming coach, track and field coach, and cross country coach, in addition to his vast experience in triathlons and ultra-distance events will be an asset for his athletes and clients.
In 2016, joined the TriDot coaching staff where he serves as a TriDot Founding Master Coach and Ambassador and is currently working with an exceptional group of athletes throughout the world. He has remained quite active as a top age group athlete and since 2016, his accomplishments have included the following:
- Three Time North American Age Group Champion
- Four Time #2 Ranked Age Group (Ironman All World Athlete World Ranking)
- 2019 Ultraman World Championships Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2021, 3rd Place Age Group, Ironman World Championships
