The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is the most popular marathon swim in world.
Within 45 minute of opening up the entries, this 28.5-mile circumnavigation around Manhattan Island is sold out.
The visionary of this great marathon swim is Drury Gallagher. From his hard-work and commitment to swimming, New York City is now an unlikely – but visually dynamical – hotbed of open water swimming. Currently under the auspices of NYC Swim, 11 events are organized including short river swims to international professional races.
As a swimmer, Drury set 27 FINA Masters world record after his All-American career at Fordham University. A father of five and a successful business entrepreneur, Drury set his records in everything from the 50-meter breaststroke to the 1500-meter freestyle in addition to his records in butterfly and the individual medley. But, or the open water swimming community, it was his instrumental role in the establishment of the Manhattan Island Swimming Association that will be his tremendously appreciated legacy.
In 1982, as a memorial to his son, Drury, Jr. who died in an accident, co-founded the Manhattan Island Swimming Association that organized the first Manhattan Island Marathon Swim as well as supported a learn to swim program for New York City and to clean up the waters around Manhattan Island.
Drury is leaving one big wake – as an athlete and an open water swimming visionary.
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