Due to the health threat currently posed by algae blooms on the Ohio. organizers have rescheduled the 8th Annual Great Ohio River Swim from Sunday, September 27 to Saturday, October 10.
The location, schedule and registration arrangements will remain the same. The Swim will start at 8:15 am at Cincinnati’s Serpentine Wall with on site registration opening at 6:45 am and an open water swim clinic starting at 7:30 am. Registration information and additional details are available at www.GreatOhioRiverSwim.com.
“Swimmer safety is our top priority,” said Chair Brewster Rhoads. “We have been in close touch with the Cincinnati Health Department and the Ohio River Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and given the persistent algae blooms on the Ohio we do not want to take any chances that swimmers could become ill from participation in the event.”
Presented by Green Umbrella and managed by Tuscon Racing, Inc., the annual swim has grown into the largest cross river open water swimming event on the Ohio River. Last year 131 teens and adults completed the 900 yard swim from the Serpentine Wall across the Ohio to the Kentucky side and back to the finish line at the Cincinnati Public Landing. Over 850 people ages 10-85 have completed the Swim over the past seven years.
“We are anticipating record participation this year by area high school, college and club swim teams,” said Jonathan Grinder, President and CEO of Tuscon Racing, Inc. “This event is a great way to highlight Greater Cincinnati’s national reputation as a center of excellence for competitive swimming.”
Registration is $25 for adults 23 and over and $20 for adults and teens 22 and younger. Swimmers who are NOT members of USA Triathlon must pay an additional $12 per person for mandatory insurance coverage.
The Ohio River will be closed to barge and power boat traffic by order of the U.S. Coast Guard from 8-9:00 a.m. Certified lifeguards and safety boats will be deployed in the Ohio during the swim. Safety boom will be deployed by Peter Cremer North America to add additional protection for swimmers as they approach the finish line.
The swim will be timed. The award ceremony for winners in each competition class will take place at 9:30 a.m.
The Ohio will be tested for water quality by the Ohio River Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) in advance of the event.
Proceeds will benefit Green Umbrella, the non-profit sustainability alliance for Greater Cincinnati, to support its www.MeetMeOutdoors.com website that promotes outdoor recreation events and venues in our region.
More information including video, race results from previous years and registration information is available at www.GreatOhioRiverSwim.com.
