Athletes Competing Against High Temperatures

A late summer heat wave has come through the area that could be dangerous and the oppressive heat has prompted calls for help. EMSA responded to a half-dozen heat-related emergencies this weekend and Tulsa is under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service.

The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports that didn't stop some athletes from competing. With the heat index over 100 degrees EMSA says the safest thing to do is stay indoors, but Sunday thousands of athletes from around the country are in town to compete, no matter the sport, they say the scorching sun is their biggest challenge.

As thermostats flirt with the century mark, Tulsans are trying to stay cool, but this weekend that's a lot to ask.

"Tulsa's got a very, very strong following and a lot of competitive athletes," said duathlete Bret Gunther.

More than 300 athletes raced around Tulsa for the Chris Brown Duathlon. They ran and they pedaled for 19 miles.

"There's really no way to keep cool in this stuff, just kind of keep hydrated, that's the best you can do really," said duathlete Kal Farmer.

Some families are just casual riders. The Minshall's are not pros, but they've got some tricks.

"I like to take and stick a bottle of water in the freezer, and freeze it about halfway, and then take that out, let it melt along the way," said Wayne Minshall.

His wife has a positive outlook on the exercise.

"Well, it's better this summer than last summer when I was pregnant, so that's a good start," said Destri Minshall.

From the trails to the targets, the U.S. Shooting Academy is holding a major competition.

"We've got water on each stage, people are dressed in shorts, are nice and comfortable, and we've got shade structures," said Mike Seeklander of the U.S. Shooting Academy.

Still, the heat takes some shooters by surprise. 

"I'm from New Hampshire, so 16 feet of snow last year, and I'm a little warm," said New Hampshire Shooter Adam Painchaud.

EMSA says when temperatures are this hot for this long, heat exhaustion can affect anybody.

"Lots of healthy young people fall to it, too. They think they're invincible and don't drink enough fluids, stay out in it too long, get dehydration, and dehydration will get everybody," said EMSA's Dan Oller.

"It really wears you down, I find myself going to bed earlier in the evening, just because I'm so exhausted from the day," said Minshall.

So whether you're on a run or shooting a gun, drink up. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Shooters are competing for $40,000 worth of prizes and the duathletes can use their times to qualify for Ironman and other national competitions. But they say when it's this hot, your best is only as good as the heat allows.