Sickened Triathlete Ready for Oklahoma River Again

By Doug Warner, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Nearly 400 triathletes hit the waters of the Oklahoma River last month. When the race was over, 45 fell very ill. Wednesday the state health department confirmed the water was to blame.

One of the athletes sickened by the contaminated waters is from Stillwater. But he's ready to dive back in the Oklahoma River despite being sick.

When triathlon veteran Steve Miller of Stillwater hit the waters on May 16, he was hoping to swim the mile and a half stretch of the Oklahoma River in record time. Instead, he said he spend way 'too much' time at the doctor's office and sick at home.

"The recovery was about a two week time frame. I suffered in the first week after the race, severe intestinal distress," Miller said.

Steve said shortly after the race he received a survey from the health department. Over 200 competitors responded to the survey, 45 reported becoming very ill.

"As triathletes, we compete in rivers, lakes and even oceans. There are some inherent risks and I don't think anyone is at fault," Miller said.

"I'm hesitant to put blame anywhere. We had heavy rains the week before the race and this can happen as a result," Oklahoma City Triathlon Club President Phillip Vanlandingham said.

The Oklahoma City Triathlon Club President claims among the community of athletes, this isn't that big of a concern. However, in the future, he said heavy rains right before race day could be grounds for a postponement or cancellation altogether.

"I think next year more diligence, but I think the proper diligence was there this year. I think we'll push hard to continue to put these events on," Vanlandingham said.

But Steve Miller said even two weeks of cramps, fever and vomiting won't stop him from a return trip to the Oklahoma River.

"Given a chance, I'm going to come back and do the boathouse again," the Stillwater triathlete said.

More on News9.com:

• Oklahoma River Cause of Triathletes' Illness 
• About 20 Triathletes Sickened After Swimming in Oklahoma River