2000 Potomac River Swim for the Environment 7.5 Miles June 3, 2000 by Cheryl Wagner

A storm-swelled Potomac greeted 13 swimmers on June 3 at 7:15AM as they greased up and chatted on the boat ride to Hull Neck, Virginia, the start of the 7.5 Mile Potomac Swim. Funnel clouds and a severe thunderstorm the previous night, had downed trees, caused power outtages and dumped a considerable amount of fresh water into the Potomac. A 20 knot north wind completed the picture causing additional side current and some hefty waves. Bob Astheimer finished first in 3 hr 47 min, nearly an hour slower than his first place finish last year. Robbie Allen, who closely battled Bob for first place, came in next in 3 hr 52 min 30 sec, without a wetsuit. Robbie's wife, who was expecting in July, gamely provided boat support. Christina Pazos, Iracema Leroi, Meryem Tangoren-Masood, and Henry Eckstein used the swim as a warmup for the Manhattan Swim a month later. Three unnamed swimmers cut their swims short due to the 63 degree water and rough conditions. Complete results:

Pledge money raised by the swimmers was distributed in equal amounts of $800 each to: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Point Lookout State Park, Potomac River Association, and Southern Maryland Sierra Club.

Next year's Potomac River Swim is on June 2, 2001. For more information contact: