The entry fee for solo swimmers is $120. Each entrant will receive 2 T-Shirts, and a custom designed award for completing the swim. There is also recognition for the USMS male and female age groups 19-24, 25-29, 30-34,...as high as necessary. The swimmer's age on race day determines their age group.

Three person relays cost $150 and six person relays are $240. 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. Relay swimmers must be escorted 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. The average water temperature for Tampa Bay in April is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

Swimmers in the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim are responsible for providing their own powered escort craft which must accompany the swimmer during the swim. NO ESCORT-NO SWIM. 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.

Upon entering, you must indicate your escort plans and pay any fees with your entry. Power boats are the REQUIRED escort craft, and 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.

The starting point and and host hotel is the Holiday Inn Sunspree Beach; 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].

Every effort will be made to start the swim at 7:30am on Saturday, April 16th. 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. 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.