NEW YORK -- More than 450 triathletes Sunday dived off Liberty Island into the murky Hudson River for the grueling swim, bike and run Liberty-To-Liberty Triathlon.
To celebrate the Statue of Liberty's 100th birthday, the participants from 46 states and 12 foreign countries splashed in at 8:15 a.m. under a hazy sun on their way from the statue to Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Guided by boats and a cheering crowd, most of the swimmers crossed the mile and a half stretch in less than 30 minutes and mounted their bikes for the 100-mile race on a circuitous route south through New Jersey and across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia.
The first place finisher of the 1.5-mile swim was Andrew O'Hara, a 26-year-old English teacher from Princeton, N.J.
'It felt easy,' said O'Hara, who completed the Hudson River swim in 25 minutes, 50 seconds. 'The water was warm, with a little debris and a little choppy.'
The top woman, and fifth place finisher overall, was Brenda Borg, 25, an Olympic swimmer and student at the University of Delaware.
Most of the swimmers complained about stinging jelly fish. But they all agreed that the grueling bike race to Philadelphia in 90-degree heat would be the real test.
The final leg is a five-mile run through the city streets to Independence Hall Plaza, the site of the Liberty Bell.
The challenge of completing a triathlon considered to be the ultimate athletic endeavor will be made harder by high temperatures and humidity.
Race officials are predicting 95 degree weather during the seven or more hours the triathletes will be on the road.
'I am very concerned about the heat,' said Race Director Dave Horning, who estimated that the winner would arrive at Independence Hall about 3:30 p.m.
But, Ken Glah, the race favorite, was not at all worried. 'I'm hoping the heat will knock out the competition,' said the Westchester, Pa., resident.
A veteran of 50 triathlons who has placed first a dozen times, Glah said he once competed in the iron-man triathlon in Hawaii in 'close to 100 degree heat and 80 percent humidity.'
Glah's main competition should come from noted triathletes Dave and Scott Molina, of San Francisco.
All of the entrants were required to have competed in at least one previous triathlon.
Most, like Diane DiCioccio, of Eatontown, N.J., have completed many triathlons.
DiCioccio, who sported red, white and blue racing gear for the occasion, was one of nearly 80 female triathletes.
The Liberty-to-Liberty trek is her 14th triathlon and she added 'the heat's going to be a real big problem.'
Heat was only one problem for Race Director Horning who said that 'logistically this has the potential to be a nightmare.' The organizers spent over a year getting the cooperation of the Coast Guard, the state of New Jersey, the city of Philadephia and other authorities.
Asked how he prepared for Sunday, Horning, who is a triathlete himself, quipped 'I drank a lot of beer.'
