The Betsy Owens Memorial Swim Recap

By Liz Kelso

 

On Saturday, August 16th, Total Immersion had the great pleasure of sponsoring the Betsy Owens Memorial Swims at Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, New York. The event was comprised of three open water swims:  the one-mile, Mini-Mile (which was actually a half-mile non-competitive swim), and the two-mile. All swims took place along a submerged cable which made navigating a breeze.

The weather couldn’t have been more pleasant for race day; the bright sun and warm, gentle breeze were a welcome surprise after volunteers set up the course the day before in drizzly, cold conditions.  There was quite a crowd at the lake on race day as locals, who flocked to the public beach where the race was held, mingled together with racers, volunteers, family members and spectators. All together, 72 participants swam – with 34 in the one-mile, 16 in the mini-mile and 22 in the two-mile.  

In the one-mile, Dave Barra was the first male finisher in 23:51.37, and Melissa Woods was the first female finisher in 26:31.70. In the two-mile, Neil Brophy was the first male finisher in 42:41.34 and Karen Byer was the first female finisher in 52:22.24. In keeping with Betsy Owens Memorial Swim tradition, all age-group winners received a loaf of artisan, organic bread from the Potsdam Food Co-op Bakery, and were able to choose between tempting varieties such as spelt raisin, asiago flatbread and batard. All finishers of the Mini-Mile received a signed copy of Extraordinary Swimming for Everybody.

The day ended as pleasantly as it began, with a buffet style picnic next to the lake for all participants, family members and volunteers. Swimmers and swimming enthusiasts munched on sandwiches, grapes and pretzels while soaking up the sun and comparing notes about their experiences in the water earlier that day. All proceeds of the event went to the Cambridge Health Alliance Foundation to support their work on the behalf of those with Breast Cancer, in memory of Betsy Owens.

Total Immersion Staff members and the incredible Ann Svenson directed the race. Many thanks to Ann for all of her hard work, without which this excellent day of open water swimming would not have occurred. Congratulations to all participants for their inspiring efforts! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year when the Betsy Owens Memorial Lake Swim will host the 2009 USMS 2-Mile Open Water National Championship.