Craig Dietz knows that people are watching when he participates in open-water distance swimming events.

Why?

Because he has no arms and legs.

And while he acknowledges people are often inspired by his story, and watching him swim, don’t think for a second that he isn’t any less a competitor.

He’ll be just that as part of a relay team during the upcoming Kinzua Tango adventure race 13.1 mile run, 20 mile bike ride, 2.2 mile swim, orienteering course, 4.5 mile run and 10.2 mile canoe race set for Aug. 1.

Dietz, who has been featured by ESPN in their E:60 series, said he grew up in St. Marys.

“So I’ve been doing these swimming events for the last seven or eight years,” he said. “(I) always wanted to do some closer to home.”

Dietz, an attorney, said his family spent time at Kinzua and Kiasutha as a kid.

But he didn’t learn about the Tango until this past winter.

“I was up in Warren County this winter speaking at the high schools and middle schools up there,” he said. In talking with the teachers and the principals, the Tango came up in conversation.

“I didn’t know it existed,” he said. “I love the idea of doing a race up there close to home.”

So he’ll be in Warren County for the weekend, camping with family. “It will be a fun weekend.”

For the race, “I put a team together. I’ve been doing swims, triathlon relays, I’ve kind of built a ‘black book’ of contacts who do this stuff with me.”

But the Tango provided a unique challenge.

“(I) had a hard time getting an orienteering,” he said.

His goal for the race is simple “I expect fun.”

“This one is a little more, (I) expect a little more fun, (a) little higher expectation because it is kind of a local thing for me.”

Swimming and being in the water has been part of his life “as far as I remember.”

“I decided to do the Pittsburgh triathlon. I got a couple friends together that run. I’ve been swimming all my life. (I) had never done an open-water swim. That’s what hooked me… the community. It’s like a little cult.

But it’s not just the community.

“The other is the adrenaline rush. (I) read an article one time about a program that helps addicts get clean… and get them into triathlons. It’s really just substituting one addiction for another.”

While Dietz explained that he enjoys open-water swim races, he particularly enjoys the triathlon, of which the Tango is an extreme form.

“I love the team aspect,” he said.

And he knows that people are watching, and that many are inspired by his story, but he doesn’t find any motivation to continue to compete in that.

Nor is he concerned about what other people take away from watching him.

“Whatever people take from it is great,” Dietz said. “I’m aware of it…. I don’t really get caught up in it.”

He said his initial motivation to open-water swim was to get in shape.

“I did it just for me,” he said. “The people that do the races in the community (are) so supportive of me. Patting me on the back and saying ‘great swim’, that’s all they need to say to me.”

While he said he is “happy to talk to people” and is “never rude to anyone in these events,” when the gun sounds, “(I) just go and do my own thing…. People watching me and people (being inspired by) me doesn’t motivate me to do it.

“It’s a cool side effect of me doing these things,” he said. If he does inspire people, “to get past an obstacle, then I think that’s great.”