The Ireland Long Distance swimming Association-sanctioned 3.5K East Coast Adventure Gannaway Swim Wetsuit Challeneg from Rostrevor to Warrenpoint this past weekend in Northern Ireland saw Colleen Mallon set another a new record of 51 minutes and 13 seconds.

Colleen continued her win streak after victories in Ireland Long Distance Swimming Association events at Lough Sheelin, Copeland Island and Clewbay. Bill Donnelly (shown on left) finished after Colleen in 56:15 to take first place on the men’s side. Catherine Hanratty (56:53) and Jeff Wilson (1:00:17) followed in third and fourth respectively.

The swim, which started in the 1970s, was resurrected in 2006 and has seen an increase in entries every year since then. Last year, a wetsuit division was added to encourage other swimmers to take part. In the 16°C water with more-than-usual jellyfish, the wetsuiters were welcomed to the traditional open water swimming world with smiles and open arms for the next swim in this area is the Round the Rock Open 1.5K Handicap race on July 31st.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones