The new 26-mile Extreme North Dakota Watersports Endurance Test (END-WET) in the mighty Red River of the North will run from Grand Forks in North Dakota to Oslo, Minnesota on July 21st.

While the race is open to kayakers (single or double), canoers, surfskiers, stand-up paddle boarders and relay swimmers (with 2-6 members), the eyes will be on the intrepid solo swimmers who will be tackling the Red River for the first time.

Swimming downstream, but most definitely not in a straight line, the event is one of the world’s longest solo swim races (see here) and a true adventure in the American north.

The confirmed 26-mile (42 km) solo swimmers included pre-race favorite Darren Miller of Pittsburgh, Dan Projansky, (Mr. Butterfly) of Chicago, Robert Treuer of Grand Forks, North Dakota, “Fireman” Dave Madvig of Los Angeles, Melodee Nugent of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and Sandra Bergquist of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

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