COLO — A congested 400-yard swim, followed by an exhausting 15-mile bike ride and ending with an excruciating 3.1 mile run is not a typical Sunday morning.

For 193 competitors in the Cy-Man Triathlon at Hickory Grove Park, it was the way to go.

Andrea Siefers, junior in materials engineering and Triathlon Club member, said the three events are very difficult to put together, especially if a person is good at one but not so good in another.

“I’ve never been a runner, so as soon as I get off the bike and start running, I feel like I am going to die,” Siefers said.

With a time of 1:01:16, the relay team of Luke Anderson, Wes Hartman and Barrett Barr took first place in the triathlon. The individual winner was Nate Smith of Merrill with a time of 1:04:57.

Smith has been competing in triathlons for five seasons.

After competing in the bicycling event, Hartman, junior in health and human performance, was pleased with the triathlon, but said his event was difficult.

“The turnaround sucked,” Hartman said. “You come down a hill and are forced to lose momentum. Then you have to turn around and start up a new hill. But the Triathlon Club put on a great show.”

With temperatures in the high 50s and a slight breeze, the race started with the swimming event.

Laura Riley, junior in animal science, said the swim was the most difficult — and wildest — event.

“The swim was crazy because you can’t see anything and there were bodies all around,” Riley said. “I ended up grabbing a lot of butts, but none on purpose.” Her time of 1:38:02 earned her 127th place.

Jason Maurice, freshman in environmental science, also had trouble with the swimming event.

“There were so many people around me that it was hard to swim,” Maurice said. “I just thought that after I got done with the swim, I would be OK.”

Cameron Puetz, sophomore in civil engineering, said the worst part of the race was when he caught a mouthful of water.

“Once I got back on land from swimming, I was fine,” Puetz said. “Except for the first few steps of the run when my legs felt like jelly.” He finished with a time of 1:37:10, good enough for 124th place.

The Cy-Man Triathlon also brought some ISU alumni back to the Ames area. Conrad and Wendy Hanson, alumni from Urbandale, said they wanted to show their support to the club.

“They need to have [a triathlon] in the spring, summer and fall,” Wendy said. This was just great and we will do it again.”

Scott Beall, an alumnus from Waverly, said there are many good reasons to compete.

“It is for a good cause: the Red Cross,” Beall said.

Heidi Mahoney, sophomore in pre-business, said the last event, running, was the most exhausting.

“I wanted a challenge, and it was. The run was the toughest challenge because when you start with swimming and biking, you get worn out,” Mahoney said. The challenge of keeping up with everybody else was the most rewarding for Mahoney.

“This race was mentally rewarding because it helps bring up your positivity,” Mahoney said. “This was also physically rewarding, knowing I had enough physical endurance to do it all.”

Riley was extremely happy with the Cy-Man Triathlon and said that she will be back next year.