HATTAN ISLAND MARATHON SWIM (MIMS) FACTS IN BRIEF
Posted online: Friday, 28 May 1999
WHAT:
18th annual 28.5 mile counterclockwise, Tide-assisted swim around Manhattan Island. It's the longest swim marathon held on an annual basis. The first MIMS was September 14, 1982, with 12 swimmers. It was founded by Drury Gallagher. The winner receives the Gallagher Cup.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 12, 1999
Start: 6:45 a.m.
Finish: Beginning approx. 1:45 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. (10 hour limit)
WHERE:
Start and finish at Gangway 6, Battery Park, Lower Manhattan
WHO:
42 swimmers--30 individuals (a record) and two six-person relay teams
Individuals: 20 men, 10 women
Relay teams: 10 men, 2 women
Swimmers represent Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States (11 states) and range in age from 23 to 56.
FACTS:
Water Temperature: 61-65 degrees Fahrenheit (coolest ever for a MIMS along with earliest date)
Overall Record: 5 hours, 45 minutes, 25 seconds (5:45:25), set by Shelley Taylor-Smith of Australia, in a special swim on July 14, 1995.
Men's Record: 5 hours, 53 minutes, 57 seconds (5:53:57), set by Kris Rutford of Lincoln, Nebraska in a special swim in 1992. He is in this year's MIMS.
MIMS Record: 7 hours, 27 seconds (7:00:27), set by Susie Maroney of Australia in 1990. She is in this year's MIMS.
First Recorded Attempt to Swim Around Manhattan: Robert Dowling, 18, on September 5, 1915. His time was 13 hours, 45 minutes (13:45)
First Recorded Attempt by a Woman: Ida Elinsky, on September 5, 1916. Her time was 11 hours, 35 minutes (11:35).
Oldest Competitor: Dextor Woodford, 77, in 1991
Youngest Competitor: Cody Brammer, 12, in 1988
Other Marathon "Sister" Swims: English Channel (21 miles), Catalina Channel, California (21 miles) |
|
