Several hundred people hit the beach in Stamford Sunday morning to raise money for a local nonprofit.

About 600 people were at Cummings Beach to participate in the 11th annual triathlon to raise awareness and funds for Kids in Crisis, a free emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis counseling resource for Fairfield County children and families.

Kids in Crisis is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 

"It's really important for people to realize that we're all in this together,” said Shari Shapiro, of Kids in Crisis. “That a problem, a crisis can happen to anybody at any time and we're here to help."

Shapiro says Kids in Crisis is the only program in southwestern Connecticut that provides emergency services and shelter 24/7 for children and families.

The athletes participated in a half-a-mile swim, biked for over 15 miles and ran for the remaining 3 miles.

The first male runner came in at an hour and 40 minutes.

Last year, the event raised a little over $100,000. This year, they're hoping to exceed that.