Ivan Lopez of Mexico won today’s Acapulco 5K Ronald Johnson International Swim in 1:02:21.5 after pulling away from a tightly bunched lead pack of ten swimmers. The swimmers were treated to great, flat-water conditions under sunny skies in the straight 5K swim across Acapulco Bay on the west coast of Mexico.

“With 400 meters to go, I saw the leader start to shorten his stroke. So I knew he was tightening up and I picked up my pace. I started out fast, but the lead pack went with me, so I slowed down and let the others lead the pack until the end,” said Ivan, wizened after competing on many strategic races on the pro circuit.

759 swimmers – with an impressive 45% of them women – took to the swim across Acapulco Bay, safely guided by a flotilla of over 40 boats. “It was a great event,” said Bill Ireland, a veteran open water swimmer from California, a sentiment echoed by everyone in the 1K, 1.5K and 5K races. “The finish of the swim is at a water park, so everyone can enjoy the rest of their day in beautiful Acapulco,” said host organizer Nelson Vargas.

A great day for the young swimmers and the young-at-heart.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones