By Patrick Wall and Tom Liddy
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — A man died and woman was in critical condition after competing in the swim portion of the New York City Triathlon Sunday, according race officials.
A 64-year-old man was trying to get out of the Hudson River, near 79th Street when he went into cardiac arrest around 8 a.m., officials announced Sunday.
He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital where he died. Police do not believe any criminality was involved.
A 40-year-old woman also went into cardiac arrest after the swimming event, officials said. She was treated on-site by emergency medical staff before being taken to Roosevelt Hospital where she was listed in critical condition, officials said.
"On behalf of all of us in the triathlon community, our thoughts and prayers are with the athletes and their loved ones," said Bill Burke, the race director.
Some 3,000 people competed in this year's triathlon, which included a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike ride and 10 km run.
Competitors swam from 98th Street down to 79th Street in the Hudson, then biked up the Henry Hudson Parkway into the Bronx. From there, they turned around and came back down the Henry Hudson into Central Park for the run, which ended at the Bandshell, near 72nd Street.
Participants in the 11th annual Nautica New York City Triathlon raised $4 million for various charities.
Violinist Jennifer Ahn, 33, who was competing in her first triathlon, said that she was ready to take the challenge after running two marathons.
"It was the most incredible, amazing and humbling experience ever," she said, adding that she was particularly inspired by the paraplegics that she saw competing in the race.
Ahn, who has been training since April, said that she had never biked or swam before the race.
"I just thought it was an undeserved cancer," said Ahn, who competed to raise money for prostate cancer research.
Her friend, Julia Koo, 32, also a violinist, followed Ahn around the course to cheer her on.
"It was just so moving being there and watching her accomplish every portion — everything," she said.
Competitors for this year's race, which started 40 minutes late and finished in six hours, came from 43 states and 26 countries, organizers said.
Ben Collins was the winner for the men, finishing in 1:48:11 and Rebeccah Wassner took home the top prize for the women, coming in at 2:03:19.
Garnering the top prize in the Doggy Dash was Jane and handler William Capune.
The Animal Medical Center Doggy Dash allows man and man's best friend to race in tandem over a 5-mile course.
