It was a grand idea by an early multisport impressario, Dave Horning: a point-to-point triathlon from the lower end of Manhattan, with a view of the Satue of Liberty, with a finish at the Liberty Bell in downtown Philadelphia. Easier said than done, but somehow most of the 140 starters made it to the finish line in Philly. Since this was 1984, the Hudson River was a bit of a question when it came to cleanliness.  But viewing the start, an observer was tempted to paraphrase Butch Cassidy: "Pollution? The fall will probably kill you."