Marathon swimming is no joke. It is an incredible accomplishment to complete a race that is at least 10km in open water. We have many marathon swimmers that are training with MySwimPro so we thought it’d be helpful to share some upcoming races that are happening in the U.S. this fall! It’s time to the ocean for some long distance swimming!
MySwimPro is proud to be the Official Swim Training App of the Global Swim Series, and we are so excited to share these great races with our community members! If these long races are too intimidating for you, we recommend trying our 12-week Open Water Training Plan to help get you ready for a shorter open water race or triathlon.
Check out these two amazing marathon races below:
1) Swim for Alligator Lighthouse – GSS North American Championships
- Saturday, September 15, 2018
- Islamorada, Florida
- 8 mile/13km ocean swim – solo & relay options
- Click here to register
“The 8-mile swim to Alligator Lighthouse is a challenge. It’s not for the faint of heart. This is tropical open water swimming. If you’ve never done anything like this before, you will encounter stunning (for some stinging) and beautiful marine life. Year after year, people return to conquer Alligator Light!”
It all started when World Renowned Artist, Lighthouse Larry decided to swim, in his native town of Islamorada, to Alligator Lighthouse and back, alone and self-supported, his friends thought he was crazy. When he then said out loud “every open water swimmer should experience this,” Larry became the anchor to the Swim for Alligator Lighthouse.
The Fighting Manatee Swim Club, the Masters swim club of Islamorada, accepted the challenge to present a world class open water swim event in the Florida Keys. The Fighting Manatees presented the Inaugural Swim for Alligator Lighthouse in 2013. It’s here to stay!
You are likely a bit curious about the name, interestingly the name doesn’t come from the reptile, but rather a ship. It honors the U.S. Navy schooner Alligator, part of the U. S. Navy Anti-Piracy Squadron that had recently been established in Key West, which went aground at this location in 1822. The Alligator was blown up after removing as much as possible from it to prevent it from being used by pirates. Countless vessels have also sunk here on the reef’s jagged coral.
Proceeds from the swim benefit the “Friends of the Pool” in Islamorada, providing scholarships for high school students. They also support small investments towards the preservation of Alligator Light. The Swim brings awareness to treasured Historic Lighthouses on Florida’s Coastal Waterways. Friends of the Pool is an all volunteer organization.
Like the other GSS races in the Florida Keys, this race makes a perfect destination race. Scheduling even works out well for an awesome September getaway. It doesn’t take much convincing to get someone to do a spectacularly beautiful race like this in the Keys. Nor is it hard to convince family and friends to join you on a relay, crew, or just a great getaway. Only a 2 hour drive from Miami means that the race is easily accessible to just about anyone in the world that is looking for an incredible swim in a beautiful tropical paradise. Brought to you by Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
2) Swim Around Charleston – GSS American Championships
- Sunday, September 16, 2018
- Charleston, South Carolina
- 12 mile/19.3km ocean swim – solo & relay options
- Click here to register
This is a perfect event for a newcomer to marathon swimming or an experienced marathon swimmer looking for a nice day’s effort and great weekend in Charleston, SC–the number one city to visit in America via Conde Nast!
This swim is a 12 mile open water swim in the Charleston waterways and harbor.
The swim will begin at Remleys Point in Mount Pleasant, SC, proceed across the Cooper River to the Charleston side, parallel the peninsular city and proceeding north up the Ashley River to the finish point at I-526. There is a Charleston county boat landing serving as the take out spot for swimmers.
Come on out and try this amazing race. This is unlike any swimming event ever held in Charleston as they hope to raise the aquatics standard locally and introduce the community to the beauty and spirit of marathon swimming.
Swim Course:
Looking for open water swimming tips, workouts and coaching?
Download the MySwimPro app on your phone or smartwatch and start your free trial of Premium to begin your 12-week personal Open Water Swimming Training Plan.
