Tampa Bay Marathon Swim 2013…

Last year I swam the classic 24 mile “Tampa Bay Marathon Swim” that my friend Ron Collins puts on… it’s a great race!  People literally come from all over the world to do it, there aren’t huge numbers, because oddly, not that many people can race 24 miles, but he usually gets 20 – 30 swimmers, plus relays!

I swam it solo and LOSTie, Ted Gregory, swam it on a 6 person relay with a gaggle of girls… luckiest 72 year old around!  Last year a huge lightning storm rolled in about three quarters of the way through the race… and we all got pulled… unfortunately.  It really sucked, because at 6 1/2 hours through the race I was feeling good and was doing quite well.  Having said that… that is the nature of our sport… that’s what makes marathon swimming tougher than other ultra distance running and cycling events… mother nature plays a much bigger role in your swim!

This year I’ve been doing more running and although I’d like to go back and tick that box, it’ll have to be another year, but my pal Ted went back with the ladies to get it done… and guess what… mother nature dealt them a crappy hand again!  No big electrical storm… just really rough water!  An unusually high percentage didn’t finish… including Ted’s team.  Tough break pal!

Some consolation though, the 6 that did complete it were pretty decent swimmers… including one Olympian… who came second!  Tough crowd… literally!  Congrats!

Check out Ron’s race report and the results:

Chelsea Nauta Claims Victory At The Tampa Bay Marathon Swim

Six Swimmers out of a Field of Eighteen Starters Battle Wind and Waves to Complete a 24 Mile Swim of the Length of Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay, Florida – Tampa native Chelsea Nauta was able to fight through swells and a strong headwind to become the Overall Champion at the 16th Annual Tampa Bay Marathon Swim. The three-time FHSAA Swimmer of the Year and USA National Team member was able to finish the swim in 10 hours, 7 minutes to hold off Olympian Brooke Bennett who finished only 4 minutes later.

The Men’s Champion was Chris Burke, 51 of St. Petersburg, FL, who completed the course in 12 hours, 16 minutes. He was able to out-duel his friend and training partner, Dr. Mark Smitherman of Clearwater, FL who came to the finish line in 12 hours, 33 minutes.One relay team of six swimmers, NC State of Mind,  turned in the quickest time of the day, posting a time of 10 hours, 2 minutes. Starting at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and ending on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa, the race was held on Saturday, April 20th in celebration of Earth Day and the revitalization of Florida’s largest estuary.

Official Results

10 hours, 7 minutes – Chelsea Nauta, 24F, Brandon, FL
10 hours, 11 minutes – Brooke Bennett, 32F, Clearwater, FL
12 hours, 16 minutes – Chris Burke, 51M, St. Petersburg, FL
12 hours, 33 minutes – Mark Smitherman, 55M, Clearwater, FL
13 hours, 37 minutes – Sergio Salamone, 45M, Buenos Aires, Argentina
14 hours, 37 minutes – Ann von Spiegelfeld, 51F, Tampa, FL

10 hours, 2 minutes – NC State of Mind Relay Team
Patrick Woodruff, 29M, Durham, NC
Kelly Woodruff, 27F, San Diego, CA
Mary Robbins, 28F, Durham, NC
Greg Sanchez, 55M, Cary, NC
Jack Roney, 25M, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Sarah Sanchez, 15F, Cary, NC

Since this event was first staged in 1998, it has drawn competitors from across the United States, Great Britain, Guatemala, Italy, Australia, Japan, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Canada, and the Cayman Islands.he Tampa Bay Marathon Swim is possible because of the conservation efforts of people like the Earth Day Network.  Please take a moment to look at their message below to learn about other Earth Day celebrations world-wide. 

Cheers,

Rob