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

Ben Collins felt he was ready to make a breakthrough after summer wins at Treasure Island and Tri-California’s Alcatraz, but a pinched tube and a crash on the bike left him out of the running.

Elite women’s swim start at high noon.

A large elite men’s field hits the 83-degree waters of the Black Warrior River.

The first leg of the women’s elite swim was calm and glassy near the shore.

Is this what happens when mad scientists splice the genes of a champion human swimmer and an octopus? Nope. Just close quarters racing of three women in the elite wave.

Annabel Luxford of Australia takes her turn at the head of the breakaway bike pack.

Eighteen of the 22 members of the leading elite men’s bike.

Jarrod Shoemaker takes a turn at the front as the pack climbs a slight hill in the woods.

After Sarah Haskins dropped out due to a lingering ankle injury, four leading women rack their bikes to start the run.

With the swift-changing Laura Bennett already on her way, Sarah Groff and Annabel Luxford give chase

Once he got going, Jarrod Shoemaker passed defending champ Matt Chrabot, Matt Reed, and Brendan Sexton in the first kilometer of the run.

Laura Bennett grits her teeth and bears the heat on her way to a women’s race best 37:32 10k and the win. Husband Greg looks on, no doubt with admiration.

Brendan Sexton tore out of T2 into the lead, got passed by Jarrod Shoemaker after a kilometer, but retook the lead and the win on the final lap.

Tim O’Donnell wanted to prove to USAT that he was a legitimate Olympic contender, not just a long course worlds titlist. He finished 10 seconds back of Jarrod Shoemaker and well ahead of a pack of rising American stars.

Jarrod Shoemaker cools off in mid stride.

From kilometer 1 through 7, Jarrod Shoemaker held a steady 50 meter lead on Brendan Sexton, seen here looming out of focus to the top right. On the last lap, however, J Shoe had no answer to Sexton’s surge.

Laura Bennett exults in the win and offers high fives to the crowd in the finishing chute.

Sarah Groff gave it her all. She finished second, wobbling with exhaustion and a full helping of courage.

Kevin Collington collapsed after finishing 6th.

Steven Sexton finished 5th, then needed an ice bath to keep a dangerously rising core temperature under control.