Instead of swimming, there was more more running at the NYC Triathlon Sunday, due to high levels of bacteria in the Hudson River. 

“A disappointment for a lot of people they trained for it they trained for it hard,” participant Marty Munson said.

Organizers made the decision Saturday night to turn the event into a duathlon.

“This is part of the industry," said associate marketing director of Life Time, Nicole Bostick. "You have to change things on the fly to make sure participants are safe.”

The race started at Riverside Park and extended through Central Park. 

“Because I’m a swim coach I was really looking forward to the swim today," Munson said. "And I was looking forward to the swims of everyone I trained."

The race began with about a mile run, then 25 miles of cycling and then another 6 miles of running. 

“Even if the swim is canceled, you get to do what you came to do here today, which is push yourself — see what’s possible,” Munson said.

Other athletes were frustrated with the change. 

“It’s a little dysfunctional,” James Eaton said, who traveled to the race from Maryland. “It’s a little anti-climatic. My business partner and I are planning for an Ironman in October."

Chris Musco was in Central Park cheering on his brother after more than a year of no spectator races. 

“We’re happy to be here it makes him really happy and we’re here to support him,” Musco said.

This was the first time the event has been held since 2018. Last year, it was canceled due the pandemic; a year earlier, excessive heat sidelined the event. Organizers dedicated the race to the health care workers who helped the city battle the coronavirus.