The 13th annual HarryMan Triathlon was held on May 18, 2019, in Harriman State Park, New York. It was a great day for triathletes as they gathered to compete in one of the toughest endurance sports there is.
The HarryMan Triathlon is one of the most popular and challenging off-road triathlons in the world. It involves a three-part race that includes swimming, biking, and running. The event attracts hundreds of participants from all over the world who push themselves to their limits to complete the course. This year's participants came from across the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, Japan, Israel, and many other countries.
The event featured two different race options: a long course and a short course. The long course covered a distance of 70.3 miles, while the short course was 35.5 miles. Both courses included tough terrain and demanding gradients that challenged even the most experienced triathlete.
The first part of the race involved a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Welch, located within Harriman State Park. The water temperature was in the mid-60s Fahrenheit, which provided the athletes with perfect conditions for the swim.
After completing the swim, the participants transitioned into the second leg of the race, which was a 56-mile bike ride that took them through the beautiful countryside around Harriman State Park. The course included tough uphill climbs and technical downhill descents, all of which tested the competitors' cycling skills and endurance.
Finally, the participants completed the third and final leg of the race, which was a 13.1-mile run through Harriman State Park. The route involved steep hills, rocky trails, and dense forest. Participants had to dig deep and push themselves to make it to the finish line.
One of the standout performances of the day came from the winner of the long course race, Ryan Rau, who completed the course in an impressive time of 5 hours, 10 minutes, and 13 seconds. Other notable performances included the top three finishers in the short course race: Jerry Festa, Alex Naples, and Kyle Garufi.
The HarryMan Triathlon is one of the toughest endurance sports out there, and completing the race is a major achievement for anyone who participates. It challenges athletes physically, mentally, and emotionally, but also provides them with an opportunity to push themselves and achieve their goals. The event brings together triathletes from all over the world to test their limits, build connections, and showcase the best of the sport to a global audience.
In conclusion, the 13th annual HarryMan Triathlon was a great success, with participants putting on an amazing show of athleticism and determination. It is a testament to the growing popularity of triathlon as a sport, and to the incredible dedication and grit of the athletes that take part. We can't wait to see what next year's event will bring.