Empire Tri Club prepares for New York City Triathlon

On Coney Island's beach, Empire Tri Club members are diving into the Atlantic as they prepare for Sunday's New York City Triathlon. 

From veterans to first timers, they come here to this racing, training, and social club with different motivations, from the personal to the charitable. 

All have trained for months to perfect their skills as swimmers, bikers, and runners, ready to traverse the concrete jungle.

And with the support and training of the Empire Tri Club, many find that the camaraderie keeps them afloat, especially when it comes to mastering the 1,500-meter swim in the Hudson River.

Now, as they put in their final hours of pre-triathlon training, the sweet smell of victory gets closer every day.

The Panasonic New York City Triathlon is Sunday, July 19, 2015. It entails a 1,500-meter swim in the Hudson River, a 40-kilometer bike ride on the Henry Hudson Parkway and Mosholu Parkway, and a 10-kilometer run along West 72nd Street and in Central Park.