Eppie johnson biography

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Eppaminondas "Eppie" Johnson was a Sacramento restaurateur, philanthropist, and the creator of Eppie's Great Race.
Eppie was born on May 7, 1928 to George and Fotini in Astoria, NY. He had one sister, Paula Alexander, who preceded him in death.

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Eppaminondas “Eppie” Johnson, Archon LaosynaktisMay 7, 1928 – September 16, 2013

It is with great sadness that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Eppaminondas “Eppie” Johnson on September 16, 2013 at his home in Sacramento, California.

Eppie was born on May 7, 1928 to George and Fotini in Astoria, NY. He had one sister, Paula Alexander, who preceded him in death. He and his family moved west where his father was a very successful businessman, as well as chairman of the Democratic Party for the State of California. Eppie attended the University of Nevada – Reno where he was active in the ROTC. Following graduation, Eppie served admirably in the US Army. After he completed his military service, Eppie returned to Sacramento to work with his father in the restaurant business. He excelled in the food service industry, and eventually started his own successful chain of restaurants, known as “Eppie’s”, in 1964.

In 1974, he founded “Eppie’s Great Race”, the world’s oldest Run, Bike, Paddle (kayak) Triathlon. This has grown into a

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Special Recognition Award

Eppie Johnson

Many years ago, a fast-talking businessman in Rancho Cordova was looking around for a way to combine his love of kayaking and promote his restaurants. With that beginning was born a race that would someday be known as the World's Oldest Triathlon and bears the name of none other than Eppie Johnson.

2013 will be a great year of special anniversaries in Rancho Cordova. The Chamber of Commerce will turn 50 and the City of Rancho Cordova will turn 10. And what began as an advertising gimmick by Rancho Cordova's own P.T. Barnum will mark its 40th year.

In case you are new in town, Eppie's Great Race runs up and down the American River Parkway - mostly in Rancho Cordova - and features a 5.82 mile run, a 12.5 mile bike race and a 6.5 paddle to the finish. Nearly everybody in Rancho Cordova knows somebody who has either participated in or volunteered at Eppie's Great Race.

It is highly likely that sooner than later Eppie's Great Race will raise its millionth dollar for Sacramento County's Therapeutic Recreation Services which provid

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Eppie's Great Race

Race in Sacramento, California, United States

Eppie's Great Race was a multisport race held each summer in the Sacramento metropolitan area. It was founded by restaurateur/entrepreneur Eppie G. Johnson in 1974. Participants included elite athletes, fitness enthusiasts, average runners, and families who complete the race within 1.5 to 4.5 hours.^[1]

Also known as "The Great Race", "The World's Oldest Triathlon" and the "No-Swim Triathlon", it features a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile bike and 6.35-mile paddle held along the scenic American River Parkway in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento, California. The event started at Riverbend Park (formerly Goethe Park), along the American River Bike Trail, and was relayed at the Guy West Bridge at Sacramento State. From there, participants either tagged as a relay to a cyclist, or picked up their bike, and headed upstream to Sunrise Blvd, where they either relayed or canoed back to Riverbend Park. The event attracted more than 2000 participants each year with 26 divisions and was the largest paddling event in the co