‘Aquathlon’ Contestants Swim the Hudson

PUMPED: Swimmers await the go-ahead to jump into the water at the Aquathlon on July 13, hosted by the Manhattan Island Foundation on the Hudson River. (Christine Lin/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—More than 200 swimmers jumped into the Hudson River’s cool waters on Sunday and waited for their signal. This multi-sport race, known as the “Aquathlon: Stars and Stripes,” is run by the Manhattan Island Foundation, Inc. (MIF).

Steady winds delayed the Aquathlon for more than 30 minutes. After waiting for the prevailing winds that only got worse, to stop, the swimmers lined up at the dock at W.72nd St. and got their start.

Swimmers faced a timed swim-off spanning roughly one mile, afterwards transitioning into a run lasting over three miles. The panting swimmers stayed competitive and didn’t stop to rest.

When the action packed multi-sport event concluded, John Acton of Manhattan won the Aquathlon, in 39 minutes and 43 seconds. Rachel Smith of Manhattan won the women’s division in 48 minutes and 42 seconds.

MIF, founded in 1993, organizes swimming events around Manhattan waters, allowing swimmers to experience the waters in New York first hand. The MIF also has the goal of cleaning and protecting the waters around New York by cleaning, as well as expanding a public learn-to-swim program in New York.