A lot of calories were burned in Broome County on Sunday as many took part in a triathlon. As our Elyse Mickalonis reports, organizers put together the first annual Why Not Tri? event to help combat obesity in the area. They said as intimidating as it sounds, it is an event anyone can do.

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VESTAL, N.Y. -- Conquering 225 yards of water, 5 miles of tire and 2 more miles of blacktop might seem impossible to some, but not all.

"You swim, no impact. Start biking, no impact. The third leg is running and then mentally you’re like, 'Jeeze I already did two legs and I’ve got one to go',” said Bill Ondrako, Binghamton resident.

Individuals and teams sweat away the calories on Sunday in the Jewish Community Center’s first annual Why Not Tri? Event. Binghamton was recently ranked number two in the nation for obesity in a survey released by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Organizers said they started the event to combat obesity in the area, and if you have never done a triathlon before, why not try it?

"We were discussing an activity to do and with the Broome County report of obesity in the area, we said, 'let's do something that's fun for everyone. An event that everyone could do hence the name Why No Tri?' … a Triathlon,” said John Taylor, the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Director.

The triathlon ran in waves of 7 athletes in 7-minute intervals. Groups were based on age, gender and ability.

"I only had 3 or 4 experienced athletes or teams involved in it and the rest have all been beginners. It was a good chance for everybody to try out the triathlon,” said Taylor.

However, not all competitors were in it to win it, many just wanted to give it a shot.

"The distance wasn’t that big for a triathlon, so it’s a perfect one to try for the first time. It was fun,” said Lisa Hoffman, Vestal resident.

Ondrako added, "Don’t get in it to win it. Get in it so tomorrow you can work out again, that’s what it’s all about. It’s being able to do it tomorrow."

It is a true endurance test.