Choppy Waters Force Organizers To Cancel Leg Of Popular Triathlon
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two days of stormy weather left organizers of a popular triathlon little choice, but to cancel one leg of the TriRock triathlon.
The storms left choppy waters along the Schuylkill River forcing the city of Philadelphia to declare the water unsafe.
"We are working with the city to cancel the swim to the water quality." said TriRock spokesperson Emily Gibbs.
And with that, the triathlon was transformed into a duathlon, with a 26 mile bike ride and 6 mile run.
For Glenn Hartrick, the weather was of little concern.
A year ago after a tragic accident left this ironman paralyzed from the chest down.
"All of a sudden I was in the hospital paralyzed," said Hartrick. "Thirty five pounds lighter, my mouth wired shut."
Today, with the help of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, he's using his hands to do the run the race using a hand cycle.
"It's going to be fast and it's going to be a great day." said Hartrick.
Lauren Edge is a first timer among the 1,700 participants in day two of the race.
"It's a little bit upsetting especially when you train for a race for so long," said Edge, "but it's very comforting to know that they are so worried about safety."
Several charities also used the Triathlon to raise money.
Peter Fasolo led 750 Johnson & Johnson volunteers who raised over $500,000 for CHOP.
