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The Great Manhattan Swim
New York is hot and humid in the Summer, so a swim in a river is an attractive idea. The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (MIMS) offers contestants the perfect escape from New York’s hot city streets. This year’s 28.5 mile marathon takes place on June 18th.
EVEREST
Why do people want to swim over 45 kilometres in open water? Swimming expert Terry Laughlin says, “It’s a swimmers’ equivalent of climbing Everest… an achievement in skill and perseverance.” The MIMS is one part of open water swimming’s Triple Crown, which also includes crossing the English Channel and California’s Catalina Channel.
DANGER
What about pollution? Is the Hudson River clean? Contestants needn’t worry. New York’s anti-pollution laws mean that the river is much cleaner than in past years. But swimmers must look out for pieces of wood and other large debris. Ships also use the river, so swimmers must be careful. The Hudson River is still a dangerous place! MIMS contestants have to pass very rigid entrance requirements. First, they must have experience of long distance swimming. Second, they have to write an essay about why they want to compete in the MIMS. The race is very popular, and many people are rejected.
THE COURSE
The race starts and finishes at South Cove in Battery Park City on the Hudson River The Course runs counter clockwise around Manhattan Island. The first segment is against the tide until the course turns into East River. Then there’s the Devil’s Gate and the Harlem River. The course then returns to the Hudson River for the final stretch. The wind is against you here. So the exhausted swimmers have to fight their way through choppy waves to the finish line.
AUSTRALIAN STARS
Australian John Van Wisse won last year’s race in 7 hours 10 minutes. He also won in 2000 and 2008. He suggests, “You mustn’t think too much. Otherwise you think about how far you still have to swim… and how cold the water is!”
Penny Palfrey, a 47 year-old, Australian grandmother, came second. She says, “I love swimming in New York for its immense bridges, and all the people who cheer us on.”
MANHATTAN ISLAND MARATHON SWIM ORIGINS
The first to swim around Manhattan Island was Robert Dowling in 1915. He took 13 hours and 45 minutes. In the 1920s Bryon Summers set a new record of 8 hours and 57 minutes. In 1982 the marathon swim became an annual event. Drury Gallagher, a New York athlete, organised the first official Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. It was a memorial to his son, who died an accident. Gallagher also cofounded the Manhattan Island Swimming Association. The association organizes various swimming events in New York and fights to clean up the waters around Manhattan Island.
