The first year of the Westchester Toughman will be known for many things and one of those will be the challenging swim that greeted athletes in the form of a pea soup fog on raceday.   It will also be known for its challenging and beautiful bike course as well as an equally challenging and scenic run course. 



The course sitauted 8miles north of Tarrytown, Croton On the Hudson, was chosen for its protected swim cove and access to great biking routes and a run on a hilly trail course.  Race morning featured a swim with dense fog that delayed the start by approximately 15min.  As the race was underway many athletes found themseleves lost in the Hudson, unable to find the next buoy or even the shore from which they came from.  At several points many athletes in a panick called into the fog asking for help from the Kayakers who couldnt find the swim course as well.
Many athletes abandoned the swim and returned to the start as others swam aimlessly down stream in the current.  Looking at the swim times its hard to tell exactly who did what.  In the end everyone made it out of the water, a little shaky but happy to be on solid ground and ready to bike.

 

The bike course was scenic and challenging with rolling hills.  With minimal wind on the day the bike splits were fairly strong.

     

Run: Lots of differnt terrain made the run course exciting and challening.  With one out and back along the Hudson before heading East uphill to the trail section along the dam and trails.

  

In his own words; Scott Harrison: "They didn't call it Toughman for nothing given the combination of foggy swim, challenging but fair bike and a 'Scenic' run.  This is a 'must do' race for future years.


  

Congratulations to all the athletes and especially the TriStars...!

-Brian Maiolo (2nd AG)
-Stefan Kusurelis (3rd Overall)
-Scott Harrison (3rd AG)
-Haluk Sarci (2nd place relay)
-John Farnham (2nd place relay)
-Coach Cliff (2nd place relay)