USA Triathlon National Championship: 700 athletes compete in the open water swim in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- At 8 a.m. Friday morning, the Open Water Swim Competition kicked off the official start of the USA Triathlon National Championships on Milwaukee's lakefront.
400 men and 300 women participated in the first event. Most racers, finishing the 750-meter swim in less than 10 minutes. The water was cold, but those who've participated in Milwaukee triathlons before knowing it could be worse.
"What happened last year? The water turned. It went from 68 degrees to 58 degrees," the emcee reminded the 300 women right before they took off.
"We remember that" a group of pink swim caps replied from the water.
Peter Morris was second to touch the wall for the men's race.
"I think I was second or third out of the water. After you finish the swim, you have to run up a few steps and I may have got passed up right there, but yeah second or third is pretty good," said Morris.
This blue is where the pros will swim in and grab their ? for the second leg of the races. It’s already very busy here on the lakefront. #milwaukee@usatriathlonpic.twitter.com/qpWDZ7Guxg
— Amanda Becker (@AmandaBeckerTV) August 4, 2023
Morris lives in St. Francis, and he grew up swimming competitively for the Shorewood Swim Club.
He loves to see the USA Triathlon in his backyard for the sixth time now.
"It's nice to have a local race in town and one of this scale," he said.
Thomas Denham came all the way from Albany, New York to participate.
"One of the things I love the best about it is the triathlon community," said Denham. "People want you to win, they want you to reach your personal goals-- some of the nicest people you've ever met."
Friday's open swim competition was a warmup for Denham.
"It really helps me get my swim dialed in. It's my weakest of the three legs," he said.
On Sunday, he'll compete in the sprint triathlon competition. But this is his third time coming to Milwaukee for the events.
"I love this city and this city was built for a triathlon. I'm sure they didn't build it for the [USA] Triathlon, but it is a perfect venue," said Denham.
Seven thousand athletes are expected to take to the lakefront this weekend in what is expected to be the biggest USA Triathlon that Milwaukee has hosted yet.