THE WOODLANDS, Texas—Triathlons are usually where the strongest and healthiest athletes are found, but something went wrong at a competition in The Woodlands Saturday morning.

A 51-year-old Conroe man died while participating in the swimming portion of the race.

Witnesses said CPR was started on Randolph Parnell the instant they got him out of the water, but it was too late.

It all happened at North Shore Park.

About 900 athletes participated in the swim, bike and run.

Parnell was brought to the shore by boat after he went into distress.

The Muniz family watched the whole scene unfold. They said CPR was performed for 30 or 40 minutes, but Parnell never regained consciousness. 

He was taken away in an ambulance.

Anthony Carpenter was one of the witnesses who tried to save Parnell.

“It’s very sad when you see someone that has worked so hard to train and do these events,” he said.

He understands, because he’s a tri-athlete too.

He says the community of tri-athletes in Houston shares a special bond.

Both the Montgomery County Sheriff and the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace are investigating Parnell's death.

The exact cause of his death has not been determined.