Athlete Critical After Triathlon

A heatwave took its toll on yesterday's New York City triathlon, with one 31-year-old man rushed to the hospital in critical condition after he collapsed just short of the finish line, and 11 other competitors hospitalized. Some 3,000 people competed in temperatures reaching close to 95 degrees. As might be expected for a triathlon that takes place in July in New York City, this isn't the first time heat has been a problem. In 2008, 26 people were hospitalized and one died, the New York Daily News reports.

"The heat was good until we got to Central Park and then it got brutal," said a 50-year-old woman who participated in the 1.5K Hudson River swim, 40K bike race and 10K run. "After the third mile, I was dying. I was like, 'Oh, God, give me water now!'" (More triathlon stories.)