The youngest participant was 15 Ñ the oldest 74.
The other 598 athletes in between from across Northern Virginia and as far as California competed in a diverse test of physical aptitude Sunday in the 23rd Reston Triathlon.
Hundreds of spectators gathered at the eastern shore of Lake Audubon to see the start of the grueling one-mile swim in Lake Audubon, followed by a 22.3-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run.
Ending on the track at South Lakes High School, competitors crossed the finish line to the cheers of a large crowd sitting in the stadium stands.
Arlington resident Michael Flanagan, originally from San Diego, finished first. The 25-year-old was the only person to complete the course in less than two hours. Robb Dunlap of Springfield and Doug Marocco of Montclair, Va., came in second and third, respectively.
While sucking a lollipop, Kyle DeHouse, a 2-year-old from Sterling, watched his father, Brady, finish the competition in fourth place.
Shandra Richardson, a 26-year-old from Gainesville, Va., in her fourth Reston Triathlon, finished first in the womenÕs division with a time of two hours and 10 minutes. Exhausted, RichardsonÕs first thought was to credit the triathlonÕs organizers and volunteers. ÒThanks for all they do. TheyÕre awesome.Ó