Press Release: 5th Annual Maryland Eastern Shore Marathon Swim 8 Nautical Miles in the Chester River June 17, 2000 by Cheryl Wagner

The Chester River shone like a jewel at 7:30AM on June 17, 2000 as 19 swimmers took their places in the water to begin an 8 nautical mile swim. Each swimmer had trained for months and also raised at least $300 to benefit the Chester River Association and local HIV/AIDS associations. The day had finally arrived and conditions were nearly perfect with 90 degree weather and the water at 70 degrees, except for a slight southwestern wind.

The 8 nautical mile course started at Rolph's Wharf, went upriver with the flood tide, under the Chestertown bridge, and then 4 miles downriver with the ebb tide. It was a close finish with most swimmers finishing within minutes of the next swimmer. There were as many motivations as there were swimmers: some veterans had completed five or more of Joe Stewart's marathon swims, others were doing their first long-distance swim, and still others were using this swim to qualify for the English Channel and Manhattan. All swimmers finished although Mag Bowen, who had driven to Maryland from Lancaster, Ohio, had to be hospitalized for dehydration after her 6th place finish. Navy SEAL, Jim Macciarone, broke 3 hours to finish first in 2 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds.

Local area citizens, businesses, and organizations came out in force to support the swim. Water safety support was provided by: the US Coast Guard Station at Curtis Bay, the USCG Auxiliary, the Kent and Queen Anne's County Rescue, the Chesapeake Bay Boston Whaler's Club, the Chesapeake Paddler's Association, private boaters and paddlers and NOAA. Food and beverage donors included: Pepsi Cola, Optim Nutrition, SuperFresh of Chestertown, Feast of Reason, Andy's of Chestertown, Chester River Association members, and Day Spring Water. A pre-swim invocation was lead by the Chester Valley Ministers Assocation, Rev. Rob Townsend. Caldwell Tire inflated the buoy markers. A post-swim barbecue was prepared by Sisters Together and Reaching, PWA/HIV Coalition of Baltimore, the Kent and Queen Anne's County AIDS Foundation, and the Eastern Shore AIDS Foundation. The Friday pre-swim dinner was hosted by the Chester River Assocation. After the swim, swimmers, volunteers, and friends were entertained by Denise Carlson and company at the barbecue and awards ceremony.

Next year's (6th annual) Eastern Shore marathon swim will be 10 nautical miles in the Chesapeake Bay to and around the Poplar Islands and back to the town of Sherwood near St. Michael's on May 20, 2001.

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