Islamorada’s Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Open Water Swim Returns September 15th

Swimmers in the inaugural Alligator Reef Lighthouse Swim round the half-way point at Alligator Light Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, about four miles off Islamorada, Fla. The 8-mile Atlantic Ocean course off the Florida Keys has participants swimming to Alligator Reef Lighthouse and back. The event has attracted 154 swimmers and is being staged to raise awareness for the need to preserve six aging lighthouses off the Keys island chain. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/)

Photo Courtesy: Andy Newman

Up to 400 solo and relay-team swimmers are expected to conquer the annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Saturday, Sept. 15. The open-ocean endurance swimming challenge takes place in Atlantic waters off Islamorada and is officially sanctioned by the World Open Water Swimming Association.

Individuals and two-, three- and four-person teams must complete the 8-mile roundtrip course in under eight hours. Entrants must show proof of completing a prior 1,650-meter or 1-mile swim in 35 minutes or less to compete as an individual.

The 2018 course features an in-water start and beach finish at the event’s host hotel, Amara Cay Resort, located at mile marker (MM) 80.5 oceanside in Islamorada.

First- through fifth-place solo and relay-team finishers are to win awards in male, female and mixed divisions. All successful participants are to receive a finisher medal and souvenir towel.

Award ceremonies are to begin at 6:30 p.m. at La Siesta Resort, MM 80.2 oceanside.

Early-bird check-in and packet pickup is set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at Amara Cay. A meet-up social is planned afterward at Florida Keys Brewing Co. at 200 Morada Way.

Participants also can check in 2-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Amara Cay. Saturday start times for swimmers are to begin at 7:30 a.m. in waves. All swimmers must exit the water by 3:45 p.m.

The entry fee is $150 for solo swimmers, $110 per person for a two-person team, $100 per person for a three-person team and $90 per swimmer on four-person relay teams. The field is limited to 400 swimmers total. According to organizers, 250 swimmers have registered already. Admission for spectators is free.

Event information and registration can be found by clicking here, while visitors can click here for more information on Islamorada.

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with The Florida Keys & Key West. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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