Contributed by Kate Radville, Race Director
BOSTON, MA -- On June 3rd, 2017, the Charles River Swimming Club hosted its Ninth One Mile Swim in the Charles River Basin. The race, which took place on a single loop course between the Massachusetts Avenue and Longfellow bridges, was the largest in the club’s history.
Wave 2 prepares to start a few minutes behind Wave 1
This year's edition drew a large, enthusiastic crowd to the river, and sold out at 200 swimmers. Electronic chip-timing allowed for accurate, real-time results despite the race’s unique in-water finish. Conditions were challenging given cool air and water temperatures, a steady head-wind during leg one, and considerable chop. Regardless, many fast times were posted by local masters swimmers. Trent Staats of Charles River Masters was the overall winner in 23:12.1. Sarah Weas of Boston University Masters was the first female finisher with a time of 25:42.5.
Swimmers complete the loop and finish at the dock
The Charles River Swimming Club is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 with the dual purpose of organizing competitive swimming events in the river and facilitating the return of public river swimming to the Charles. After a long history of pollution, the Charles has benefited tremendously from the Clean Charles River Initiative, which began in 1995. The river is now clean enough for swimming on most summer days, and the club hopes to raise awareness of this fact.
Award winners received an 'I Swam the Charles' pint glass and a day of kayaking, SUPing, or canoeing on the Charles, courtesy of Charles River Canoe and Kayak
Swimmers who are interested in either participating in next year’s event or in volunteering should visit the club’s website at www.charlesriverswimmingclub.org. Those with specific questions about getting involved should contact Kate Radville, Charles River Swimming Club Vice President, Race Director, and Charles River Masters swimmer.
The Club, which is run entirely by volunteers, would like the extend its gratitude to the swimmers and volunteers who made this year’s event such a success. We look forward to celebrating our tenth swim race in 2018!