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The water in the Black Warrior River was 83 degrees – and that was the coolest part of a sizzling, jungle steamy day third day of autumn in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When the tumult and the shouting were over on September 25, Aussie interloper Brendan Sexton won the men’s overall, Jarrod Shoemaker had to be satisfied with second place overall and his first USA Triathlon Elite men’s crown, and Laura Bennett thought that her second USAT Elite Women’s crown was just the right landmark on her way to the 2012 London Olympics.

Titles come and go, but likely no one will forget the heat that left many great athletes on the verge of unconsciousness and several needing ice baths to reduce dangerously high core temperatures.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson