Despite the intesne heat, thousands of athletes suited up for a day of running, biking and swimming as part of the 16th annual Panasonic NYC Triathlon. NY1's Matt McClure has the story.

From the water to the pavement, an estimated four thousand people made their way through the city Sunday for the 16th annual New York City Triathlon. 

"You get to ride on roads that you never would in the city, it's a great run through Central Park,” said Adrian Mackay, a participant. “You get to swim in the Hudson — I don't know if that's a good thing but you never get to do it."

Athletes from 44 states and 40 countries participated in the annual race. The triathlon also featured competitors of every skill level — including pros like Max Fennell.

"I train about 25-30 hours a week, about 4 or 3 days,” said Fennell. “Lots of consistency. Lots of volume, lots of running, lots of biking. I swim with a group and I pretty much just train 7 days a week."

Others, like New Yorker Elizabeth Pratt, don't have as strict a training regimen. But there's still a lot of work to do to prepare.  

"I train by myself. I don't have a coach. Generally that means getting up about 4:15 before my kids are up, before I go to work. Have a great group of guys I train with up in Westchester. And we make it up as we go along. It's a lot of work to get here ... for everyone," Pratt said.

Things got underway bright and early Sunday morning. The first swimmers splashed into the Hudson before 6 a.m. 

After swimming 1500 meters in the Hudson River, athletes then came to the West Side Highway where they biked almost 25 miles.

Pratt added, "Having New York to race as your race course is the most amazing feeling so thank you, New York!"

The final leg — a run through Central Park — had to be shortened this year because of the heat. The pros still ran the planned 10k route, but everyone else ran a shorter 8k course. They crossed the finish line at 72nd Street. 

"I saw my wife. Stopped and gave her a kiss,” said James Cunningham, another participant. “That was really fun. People cheering you on. They don't know you but they're encouraging you. It's a great thing."

That's a moment that 9-time triathlon participant Ricardo Corral says is especially meaningful to him. He's confined to a wheelchair. 

"I got so excited. We cross the finish line like a champion, it doesn't matter who you are,” said Corral. “But it's great for us. That's what I feel every time when I cross the finish line."

And it's that feeling of accomplishment that keeps him coming back year after year.