Portrait of Isabel FunkIsabel FunkSalem Statesman JournalAthletes swim for 1.2 miles in the Willamette River during the first event of Ironman 70.3 Oregon in Salem on Sunday. Professional and amateur athletes then bike for 56 miles and then run for 13.1 miles.
A man competing in Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Oregon event died Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency during the 1.2 mile swim portion of the race in the Willamette River, the organization announced Wednesday on social media.
An Ironman volunteer acting as water safety personnel recognized an athlete in need of medical attention during one of the first heats of swimming, before 7:30 a.m., according to Brian Carrara, Salem Fire Department deputy chief for administrative services.