I was a last minute volunteer at the Hayden View Triathlon. We arrived before dawn.

Jeni and I manned a “rescue kayak”.

One of the last swimmers to finish the half mile lake course looked to all the rescue boats to be disoriented. He waved off help, then tried to swim directly into another of the kayaks offering to assist.

60-year-old Leslie Chariton died in front of our eyes, it seems. He had a history of heart attacks. This was to be his last.

I was impressed with the medical. If I’m ever to have a heart attack, I hope it’s at the transition in a Triathlon. A dozen first responders were there instantly, including Jeni. The ambulance was standing by.

Jeni and I had talked about the surprisingly high number of Triathlon deaths in advance of the race. Read a NY Times article on the topic from 2008 – Deaths Draw Attention to Triathlon Swim

Rest in peace Leslie Chariton.

Man suffers heart attack during Hayden Triathlon