STROUDSBURG -- More than a thousand people from all over the world came to Monroe County to compete in one of the biggest events in northeastern Pennsylvania.
It was the Ironman competition in Stroudsburg.
It's a competition like no other. It consists of a 1.2 mile swim in the water, a 56 mile bike ride, and then running half a marathon.
Athletes said the course in Monroe County made a big difference in how they competed.
“It was a blast. It was beautiful. It was tough to feel super tired because it was awesome to see the scenery,” said Jesse Thomas of Oregon.
“It's a stunning, stunning course. This is the kind of course that makes you want to eat pumpkin pie because of the colors. It's so beautiful,” said Tenille Hoogland of Colorado.
The race, is organized by the Philadelphia Triathlon, and it’s set up in the Stroudsburg Area. The swim is first. Athletes swim a mile at Tamiment Lake.
Next is the bike ride which is 56 miles through roads and rolling hills in the Delaware River Valley.
The run goes through downtown Stroudsburg for 13.1 miles.
Some triathletes said the cool air and mild weather helped them out.
“Usually the races are really hot. This is the first cool one I had in a while. It still hurts, it's still painful, but you get less depleted at the end,” said Jordan Jones of Colarado.
For other athletes, it was a little more than that. Some said the city of Stroudsburg and the people who live there is the reason why they keep coming back.
“It's a neat town and to have the festival going on around the race. It makes it a great atmosphere, that's what I like about being here,” said Kyle Pawlaczyk of New York.
The Ironman competition in the Pocono Mountains is one of the pre-qualifiers to the world and USA Triathlon competitions.