The 20th Annual Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
VALERIE REISS
06/20/2001
This event brings “river view” to a whole new level; eat your Speedo, Donald Trump—even you can’t get this close. For 20 years strong and crazy swimmers from around the world have braved the waters of Manhattan for a 28.5-mile swimathon.
This year the 30 marathoners (ages 17-59) will cruise up the East River with the tide, then confront the heinous currents of “Hells Gate” in upper Manhattan, and then cross the Harlem River for the long home stretch down the Hudson. Last year John van Wisse, a 27-year-old Australian, won in seven hours, 53 minutes, 48 seconds in his first attempt at the race.
Drury Gallagher started the event in 1982 to bring awareness to competitive swimming and as a memorial to his son. The event has grown to work with environmental groups, becoming a symbol for cleaning up the less-than-potable waters of Manhattan.