Photos: 2016 Gold Nugget Triathlon

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Kendal Williams, 18, makes the transition from swimming to the biking during the Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon on Sunday, May 15, 2016. Williams who graduated from Dimond High last week will attend Arizona State on a triathlon scholarship.

This Gold Nugget Triathlon moment comes from the makers of Afrin, Flonase and Vicks VapoRub.

Rebecca McKee spent Saturday night with her head propped on a pile of pillows, trying to coax oxygen into nasal passages blocked by allergies.

It was past midnight, and she couldn't breathe or sleep. With every passing minute she wondered if she'd make it to Sunday's 9 a.m. start of Alaska's biggest triathlon.

"It's 1:15, and I thought, "Are you really gonna get up in the morning and do this?' '' McKee said.

A cocktail of allergy medicines helped her make it through the night -- "I Vicks-ed up," she said – and to the Bartlett High pool deck.

When it was over, McKee was again breathless, but in a good way.

In a race dominated by repeat winner Kinsey Laine of Fairbanks, McKee captured second place with a performance that left her giddy.

McKee, 44, improved on her fifth-place finish from a year ago in a race she holds dear.

"This is a pretty major day for me," she said.

READ MORE: Gold Nugget winner posts sizzling time to repeat as champ