The first time Greg Welch was persuaded to do a triathlon, the 21-year-old future champion went to a pool and was out of breath within 50 meters. But soon thereafter, he jumped into the fastest workout lane because that was the quickest way to get fast.

This vividly illustrates the ability and approach that quickly took Greg to the highest levels of triathlon competition. In just his second Kona appearance, Welch finished third behind two guys named Allen and Scott. Meanwhile, he was showing the rare propensity to bridge the distance between long and short races, best documented by his victory in the 1990 short-course world championship.

As his career victory totals grew, so did stories of his happy-go-lucky manner and fondness for social pursuits. Triathlon has its share of amusing personalities, but only Welch has the talent to match the shtick. Still, winning the Gatorade Ironman takes what Welch's close friend Paula Newby-Fraser calls a "special focus."

Welch, now 30, excelled in every other race, but sufffered disappointing setbacks in Kona, first finishing second in Mark Allen in 1991 and then dropping to fifth in 1992 while nursing a stomach injury. The cruelest blow, though, came in 1993. On his last training ride before his departure for Kona, Welch was hit by a car near his home in San Diego and suffered a serious knee injury.

Out of the depths of despair came one of the lessons that would allow Welch to finally produce the performance it takes to win the Gatorade Ironman. On hand in Kona, he watched closely as Mark Allen played the course and field like a virtuoso. "I saw that Mark Allen had patience and the way to win this race was not off the front," Welch remembers.

While it's true Welch's victory in 1994 came on Allen's sabbatical, no one can dispute the nature of this triumph, especially the focus he displayed with six-time winner Dave Scott hunting him. Says Allen: "I know how strong Dave is. If you show any weakness, he will run to it like a shark circling, waiting for a trace of blood. Greg Welch never cracked. He not only won the race, but he held off a legend who was living once again. Greg Welch never cracked."

Jeff Devlin

Birthdate: July 1, 1964
Citizenship: United States
Family: wife, Maureen; son, Quinn

Professional Highlights: 1991, 3rd place, Gatorade Ironman; 1992, 1st place, Sunshine/Gulf Coast Triathlon; 8th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1993, 9th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1994, 3rd place, Gatorade Ironman.

One of the come-from-behind miracles of 1994 had to be from Jeff Devlin. After a disappointing swim of 58:49, Devlin made up nearly 10 minutes on the bike ride (an average of 25-miles-per-hour) to begin the run in fifth place. Considered one of the most versatile athletes at both short and long distance, Devlin is definitely one to watch.

Jurgen Zack

Birthdate: August 8, 1965
Citizenship: Germany

Professional Highlights: 1989, 1st place, Ironman Europe; 1989, 7th, Gatorade Ironman; 1990, 8th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1992, 5th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1993, 5th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1994, 1st place, Gatorade Ironman Europe; 1994, 4th place, Gatorade Ironman.

Jurgen Zack is a feared competitor on the lava fields, as he puts the "pedal to the metal" and leaves others in the dust. With the bike course record of 4:27:42, and the second fastest Ironman-distance time of 8:01:59 at Ironman Europe in 1994, the question is not "if," it's "when" will Zack follow his blistering bike ride with a run to victory here in Kona.

Mark Allen

Birthdate: January 12, 1958
Citizenship: United States
Family: wife, Julie Moss; son, Mats

Professional Highlights: 1983-1993, 1st place, Nice Triathlon; 1986-1987, 2nd place, Gatorade Ironman; 1988, 5th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1989-1993, 1st place, Gatorade Ironman.

The absence of Mark Allen at the 1994 Gatorade Ironman left questions unanswered. Could he have won an unprecedented six times in a row? How would the much awaited 1989 rematch of Allen and Scott turn out? Would the youth of Welch or wisdom of Allen prevail in the final miles on the Queen K? Only now will those unanswered questions be resolved as the "King of the Lava" returns after a year of rest and reflection. Let the race begin.

Defending Champion: Paula Newby-Fraser

During a new conference just prior to the 1994 Gatorade Ironman, perennial Ironman winner Paula Newby-Fraser reflected on the pressures that go with being the favorite. "Just because I've won this six times, doesn't mean that I can just walk back and win it again," she said.

Two days later she easily won the race again, leading virtually from start until she crossed the finish line in 9 hours, 20 minutes, and 14 seconds.

In the world we live in, few things are absolutes. But at this juncture, feel free to put Paula's winning the Gatorade Ironman right up there with night following day...or is that day following night? Whichever, there's certainly no question about Ms. Newby-Fraser's Kona dominance.

A resident of Encinitas, California, this Zimbabwe native won her first Ironman title in 1986. She then shocked the athletic world in 1988 by placing 11th overall in Kona, leaving nearly 1,300 others behind. She holds the women's course record of 8:55:28, set in 1992, and is the only woman to have raced under nine hours in Hawaii, having accomplished that feat twice, most recently in 1993.

Paula, winner of more Gatorade Ironman titles than any other athlete in history, can't, of course, just show up in Kona and expect to win the race. She does seem to know, though, what barriers can be broken in this 140.6-mile challenge, and thus far, no other woman has shown that sense. In terms of ability, Newby-Fraser mentioned last year that she thought some of the other top women in the race had "made some significant improvements." No one doubts, for example, the athletic prowess of Karen Smyers, last-year's runner-up, and Smyers showed last year she might be ready for a duel with Paula, finishing only 8 minutes down.

But with a consecutive win streak of four coming into this year's Gatorade Ironman, Ms. Newby-Fraser absolutely is the odds-on-favorite to be the first woman through the finish-line arch on Alii Drive.

Karen Smyers

Birthdate: September 1, 1961
Citizenship: United States
Family: husband, Michael King

Professional Highlights: Five-time National Champion, Olympic distance; 1990, Olympic distance World Champion; 1993, 4th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1994, Triathlete of the Year, 2nd place, Gatorade Ironman.

After years of winning Olympic-distance titles, Karen Smyers' first appearance at the Gatorade Ironman came two years ago. In her debut, she placed 4th. Focusing on the longer distance, Smyers finished an impressive second in 1994, only eight minutes behind Paula Newby-Fraser. With two years under her belt, Smyers may be ready to make her move.

Fernanada Keller

Birthdate: April 10, 1964
Citizenship: Brazil

Professional Highlights: 1989, 4th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1990, 9th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1991, 13th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1992-1993, 7th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1994, 3rd place, Gatorade Ironman.

Known as much for her racing attire as her racing results, Keller now has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the triathlon world. Last year's strong third place finish including a strong 3:22:46 marathon, reinforced her presence as a contender among the professional women.

Wendy Ingraham

Birthdate: January 31, 1964
Citizenship: United States

Professional Highlights: 1991, 10th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1993, 5th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1994, 2nd place, Ironman Japan; 4th place, Gatorade Ironman; 1995, 1st place, Ironman Australia.

Wendy Ingraham adds a different dimension to the world of triathlon, and she does it her way. Affectionately called "Wingnut" for her unusual style, Ingraham shows nothing but focus and determination while racing. An outstanding swimmer and runner, the bike is her last hurdle. This year, Ingraham has concentrated on improving her pedal power, making her a serious threat.

Isabelle Mouthon

Birthdate: June 14, 1966
Citizenship: France
Family: twin sister, Beatrice

Professional Highlights: 1990-1991, European champion; 1992, 1st place, European Cup; 1993, 1st place, Nice Triathlon; 1994, 1st place, Goodwill Games.

Isabelle Mouthon may be new to the lava fields of Kona, but she is known internationally as one of the top female athletes in the world. Along with twin sister, Beatrice, Isabelle has decided to extend her European racing for a try at the world's most prestigious event, the Gatorade Ironman. Mouthon will have familiar company with Smyers, as they have battled for years at short-distance triathlons.