Event update: March 9, 2008 - Some late entries can be accepted, but we are unable to accept any more entries from swimmers and relays who do not have their own escort boat. Volunteers for our event should call 727.531.7999 today. - Thank you!!!

The Eleventh Annual 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim


The Eleventh Annual 24 Mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008. This race is recognized by Florida LMSC for USMS Inc., Recognition #148-008ow, and current USMS (United States Masters Swimming) Long Distance Swimming rules govern this swim. ALL participants must be 18 years or older and registered with USMS. One day USMS Registrations are available, and foreign swimmers may also compete if they provide an introductory letter from their country's national governing body.

Each entrant will be assigned an escort power boat, receive a t-shirt, and a custom designed award for completing the swim. There is also recognition for the USMS male and female age groups 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc... as high as necessary. The swimmer's age on race day determines their age group.

Each relay entrant will receive one T-Shirt and a custom designed award at the finish. There is recognition for the top three male, female and mixed relays of three or six swimmers.  Relay swimmers must be escorted by an escort craft at all times and competitors are free to make transitions at any point during the race.

The start and finish will take place "in-the-water".  Absolutely no fins, pull buoys, leg floats, webbed gloves, wet suits, or other possible speed-increasing devices will be allowed in the competition. Swimmers may not stand on, nor push off the bottom of Tampa Bay.  Shallow areas are a danger for both swimmers and boaters so pre-planning is extremely important.   

Swimmers in the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim must be accompanied by a powered escort boat during the swim. NO ESCORT-NO SWIM. Although not required, many competitors also secure a human-powered craft such as a kayak or canoe. For competitors who are unable to bring their own escort craft and crew, a limited number of boat rentals(manned and unmanned) and kayak rentals (manned and unmanned) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrants must provide escort boat and crew information on the entry forms.

Swimmers may not touch their boat or crew at any time with the exception of relay transitions. Make sure that you have plenty of food, water and/or sports drink for swimmer and support crew. The average water temperature for Tampa Bay in April is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

tampa bay marathon swim finishing point The starting point and and host hotel is the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort; 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane; St. Petersburg, Florida 33711. Ph 800 227 8045; or 727 867 1151. Reference their website at http://www.holiday-inn.com/marinacove-ss for directions and other lodging information. If you choose to lodge at there, be sure to request the discounted Tampa Bay Marathon Swim room rates. Their email address is [email protected].  Be sure to reserve your room by March 1st because our block of rooms may be offered to the general public after that date.

At 6:00pm on Friday evening, April 18th there will be a rules and competition meeting for swimmers, boaters, kayakers and crew members.  Course maps, t-shirts and swimmers' packets will be available at check-in headquarters located at the Nepa Hut/starting line beach area behind the Holiday Inn  Sunspree Resort.  The hotel's marina is also available for overnight boat storage conveniently located 50 yards from the starting line. 

Every effort will be made to start the swim at 7:15am on Saturday, April 19th. Check-in time begins at 6:00am. If weather conditions are dangerous(high winds, thunderstorms, poor visibility) the start may be delayed or rescheduled to the next day.   Due to the nature and complexity of this event, no refunds will be given.

The Finish Line is located at Ben T. Davis Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Restroom facilities and boat ramps are in close proximity, and metered parking is available during daylight hours.  The fastest competitors should start arriving around 3:00pm. Swimmers may be disqualified by the event director due to impending darkness starting at 6:00pm. All swimmers must report to officials at the finish line by 7:30pm to confirm their finish or withdrawal from the race.

An awards celebration will take place at 9:00pm at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort's Nepa Hut located at the site of the starting line. 

Links    Race course | Host hotel/Starting Line | Radar

2008 Tampa Bay Marathon Swim Entry Form

 

Name:____________________________________ Sex: ______ Age on race day ______

Address:_______________________________ Apt No.______Telephone:_____________

City:_________________ State: ___ Country:________ZIP:_______Email:____________

2008 USMS Registration Number: ______-___________ Club Affiliation ____________  (You may enter now, but please send in your 2008 card ASAP)

Relay Team Name___________________________ Category   M   F   MIXED
(Each relay member must fill out and sign this form)

Full USMS members are eligible to participate a year of USMS sanctioned events, and are covered by USMS secondary accident insurance while participating in sanctioned events or supervised practices. You also receive the national magazine and local newsletters. One Event Registration is also available for non-USMS participants-good only for this event. You must email or call for details regarding the One Event Registration procedures. International competitors must attach a 2008 membership card from your country's governing body.

Solo swimmer entry fee $750 (includes escort power boat, award and t-shirt). . . . . . . . . $________

Relay entry fee $750 for 3-person relay/$900 for 6 person relay (includes escort boat, awards and 1 t-shirt per swimmer) . . . . .$_______

Who do you plan to have aboard your support boat?

NOTE: If you plan on bringing your own support boat, contact the Event Director for a discount.

One event USMS fee $15 (If needed, good for this event only). . . . .$_______

Optional: Escort kayak for the day (manned $150,unmanned $75). . . . $_______

Additional T-Shirts (while supplies last) at $10.00 each . . . . . . $_______

T-Shirt (please indicate quantity and sizes)M ____ L ____ XL ____ XXL _______

Total Due (Make checks payable to Distance Matters, Inc.). . . . . . $_______

USMS RELEASE FROM LIABILITY. I, the undersigned participant, intending to be legally bound, hereby certify that I am physically fit and have not been otherwise informed by a physician. I acknowledge that I am aware of all the risks inherent in Masters Swimming (training and competition), including possible permanent disability or death, and agree to assume all of those risks. AS A CONDITION OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE MASTERS SWIMMING PROGRAM OR ANY ACTIVITIES INCIDENT THERETO, I HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGES, INCLUDED ALL CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, OR THE FOLLOWING: UNITED STATES MASTERS SWIMMING, INC., THE LOCAL MASTERS SWIMMING COMMITTEES, THE CLUBS, HOST FACILITIES, MEET SPONSORS, MEET COMMITTEES, OR ANY INDIVIDUALS OFFICIATING AT THE MEETS OR SUPERVISING SUCH ACTIVITIES. In addition, I agree to abide by and be governed by the rules of USMS. Finally, I specifically acknowledge that I am aware of all the risks inherent in open water swimming and agree to assume all those risks.

SIGNATURE:___________________________________ DATE:____________

Attach a copy of your current USMS registration card to this entry form or mail it in as soon as you receive your 2008 card. You must print a hard copy of this form and return to the race director by March 1, 2008. Mail to Distance Matters, Inc. 5025 Foxbridge Circle, #188; Clearwater, FL 33760. Ph 727 531 7999. Email address is [email protected] On the www: http://distancematters.com

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