First, swim 1.2 miles in a freshwater lake 2,000 feet above sea level. Then jump on a bike and pedal 56 miles some 5,600 vertical feet up the Eastern Continental Divide at an average grade of 25 percent and a pitch of 31 percent. And without stopping to catch your breath, run a 6 1/2-mile loop around the lake. Then run the loop again.

A race that has been billed "the world's most savage and beautiful triathlon," will be swum, biked and run Sept. 20 at Deep Creek Lake State Park, Md.

The third annual "TRI-TO-WIN" SavageMan Triathlon Festival will spotlight pro, elite and amateur triathletes from Sweden, Canada, Belgium, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 25 American states, and will include Bjorn Andersson, the defending world-champion bicyclist at this race distance. And Susan Williams of Boulder, Col., America's only Olympic triathlon medalist, returns to defend her SavageMan crown. It's expected to attract thousands of spectators.

The race will bring international attention to Western Maryland. On the organizer's Web page, participating athletes say the course is particularly grueling.

"Savageman is truly one of the standout races around the world with an old school feel and a very scenic and very brutal course," said Andersson.

"That was by far the hardest Half Ironman course I have ever done," writes Williams, "and I've done St. Croix where they have 'The Beast.' But it's nothing compared to this. I'm going to tell all my friends back in Colorado they've got to come try this race."

All proceeds from the TRI-TO-WIN SavageMan Triathlon Festival support the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation's efforts toward medical research leading to a cure for melanoma, opportunities to educate the general public on prevention and the seriousness of melanoma, and, the development of resources for patients and the entire melanoma community.

The first event starts at 8:30 a.m. Find details at http://www.savagemantri.org.