Ironman Triathlon: 2 men die in competition in Madison, Wisconsin

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Todd Mahoney, 38, a fire appliance engineer, and Michael McCulloch, 61, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, died during the long swim portion of the long run.

The Ironman 70.3 is a three-part race, with a 1km swim, a 90km bike race and a 13.1km race.

According to an obituary, McCulloch was originally from the area and had left his wife and daughter.

The fire department said that he had also saved Mahoney when he was found insensitive in the lake. He was taken to a hospital where he died on Tuesday.

Mahoney was a nine-year-old firefighter veteran and was sometimes an assistant to the chief. He is survived by his wife and three young sons, the department said.

Ironman Triathlon: three grueling races in one
The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office, WKOW, told CNN's affiliate that McCulloch's death "was consistent with an accidental drowning due in part to a medical event." The office continues to investigate the cause of Mahoney's death, the fire department said.

"The well-being of our competitors is paramount and we are grateful for the efforts and quick support of the medical staff," Ironman said in a statement on Sunday at WKOW. "We will continue to work with the local authorities to gather all the details about these incidents and will continue to do everything in our power to provide a safe environment for our athletes." Regarding the privacy of the family and athletes we will not comment anymore, right now. "

Ironman did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released a statement Tuesday on the deaths of these men.

"My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the two athletes who died Sunday at the Half Iron Man competition," said Rhodes-Conway. "It's a tragic coincidence that two men died competing in the same event."

Sheena Jones of CNN contributed to this report.

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