It’s about time!
After being on hiatus for two years, the city’s only swim-bike-run event — now known as the Big Apple Triathlon — is set to return this Saturday with around 1,300 endurance athletes ready to dive into the Hudson River.
If everything goes smoothly, those competing in the longest distance will swim almost a mile along the shore, bike 25 miles on the West Side Highway, and then run 6.2 miles through Central Park.
This race, which was previously named the New York City Triathlon, has been a staple since 2001. However, its recent events have been rather tumultuous, plagued by scheduling issues and weather problems.
“Since 2017, we’ve had to shorten the run, cut the bike course, or even cancel the swim every year,” shared Alex De Gracia, the former race director from Life Time, in a conversation with the Post. (His organization sold the event in 2023.)
In 2019, for instance, the race was canceled due to an extreme heatwave. Concerns over water quality led to the cancellation of the swim in both 2021 and 2023, forcing participants into a run-bike-run format instead. Then, in 2022, high temperatures led to significant reductions in the bike and run distances.
Before the 2024 race even opened for sign-ups, the organizers decided to step back. They attempted to avoid the sweltering heat by shifting the race to fall, but they couldn’t agree on a suitable date with the city. Local triathletes had to move on.
However, under new management from Alpha Win, the starting gun is about to sound once more. This time, with an early fall date, competitors—many traveling from outside the city and having paid between $350 and $625 to participate—are hopeful that this iteration will go off without a hitch.
“I was really thrilled when I learned it was coming back; I loved the New York City Triathlon,” said Matt Stern, a 32-year-old attorney from Manhattan who participated in 2023. He described the course as “epic.” “It’s incredible to have the chance to swim, bike, and run in the city. Training here every day, so competing here is just awesome.”
Why tri?
A triathlon typically involves swimming, biking, and running in that order, allowing athletes to enter the water fresh. The shorter races, known as “sprints,” usually cover around 16 miles, while the well-known long course, an Ironman, stretches 140.6 miles, famously including a full marathon.
This city’s competition has historically been an “Olympic” event, effectively double the sprint distance. This year, however, Alpha Win promotes “a distance for everyone,” featuring various options: a sprint, relay, aquabike (swim-bike), and duathlon (run-bike-run).
“People tend to think of triathlons as something only for elite athletes, which can feel overwhelming,” Stern remarked. “But I believe triathlons can be very accessible.” He took up the sport three years ago, joining his cousin for a sprint in Montauk, and has since become an Ironman finisher and a member of the Empire Tri Club.
“It’s exciting to push your limits and discover how far you can go and how fast you can get there,” Stern stated. “The sense of community is really what makes it special.”
According to Tommy Struzzieri, the CEO and race director of Alpha Win, which is based in Saugerties, New York, and has hosted over 200 races since 2010, the sport attracts a diverse crowd. “It’s not just elite, super-fit individuals,” Struzzieri noted. “That’s why I love standing at the finish line.”
But pulling off an event in New York City is no small feat.
First, let’s talk about the weather. “Racing in the northeast has a very short window,” said Joel Volterra, a triathlon coach with TriLife NYC and one of this year’s competitors. In spring, the water is often too cold, summer can bring extreme heat, and the fall is always at risk for hurricanes.
Then there’s the city’s calendar—finding a weekend that isn’t booked with protests, parades, presidential visits, or playoff games can be a challenge.
Additionally, organizing a race in the Big Apple means dealing with a complex weave of permissions from city, state, and federal authorities. “You have to coordinate with various departments — DOT, Parks, police, emergency services… it’s a lot,” Volterra explained. “Any one hiccup, along with bad weather, could derail everything.”
Water Quality Concerns
And yes, there’s the Hudson to consider. But before making any judgments, let’s discuss the tides.
“When people think of rivers, they envision a steady flow, but that’s not how the Hudson operates,” noted Deanne Draeger, founder of Urban Swim, which conducts open-water swims in the city and advocates for more accessible waterways.
In reality, the Hudson, classified as a “tidal estuary,” experiences cycles of tidal flow. “It’s always shifting, flowing north and south repeatedly,” Draeger added. “This is a critical factor for planners to keep in mind.”
This year, the swim route is designed to flow with the current, directing competitors northward. There will be designated barges marking both the start and finish of the swim leg.
A “safety flotilla,” comprising 60 lifeguards on paddleboards, along with FDNY and NYPD boats staffed with paramedics and rescue divers, will protect the swimmers from boat traffic and be ready for assistance, if needed.
The Big Apple Tri is described as “one of the fastest swims in the sport,” but Struzzieri emphasized that not all athletes may feel completely at ease about entering the Hudson. “We have to prepare for all aspects of that,” he said.
In fact, one novice triathlete turned to Reddit for reassurance after signing up for this year’s challenge: “I’ve been training for the swim and have practiced in open water, but I’m not sure if I’m mentally ready to swim in the Hudson.”
Despite its hazardous reputation, the river is often deemed safe enough for swimming, according to Draeger. Significant improvements to wastewater treatment and federal regulations have led to a 95% reduction in pollution in New York Harbor since 1970.
Efforts from local nonprofits, like the Billion Oyster Project, alongside city investments in sewage systems, have further enhanced water quality. Without these advancements and vigilant monitoring, Draeger’s organization couldn’t safely guide around 200 swimmers in local open-water events each year.
“The river is more than just a scenic backdrop; it’s a public space. This event offers a unique experience of New York City that you can’t get anywhere else,” Draeger mentioned, reflecting on her past participation in the race.
However, it’s essential to remember that the Hudson isn’t exactly pristine. Diving in without proper organization is unwise. Under unfavorable conditions, even sanctioned events carry risks. Experts assert that heavy rainfall presents a significant threat due to the city’s aging sewage system.
“After a major storm, all the street contaminants—animal waste, trash—are washed into the catch basins and overflow into the water,” Volterra warned, as he works as a civil engineer during the day.
Fortunately, this year, things are looking promising. The Department of Environmental Protection has conducted extensive testing of the river in preparation. Alpha Win has also been consulting with a meteorologist for several weeks, and the weather has been cooperating.
“So far,” Struzzieri summed up earlier this week, “so good.”
For an event that has faced so many challenges over the years, that’s an encouraging sign.
