Mallory Mead, en route to literally swim around the world after her initial English Channel success in 2008, started the new multi-race Swim for Kids’ Sake.

“We raised money for Riley Children’s Hospital, one of America’s best children’s hospitals with the world’s largest pediatric sleep disorders center,” said Mallory. “And we enjoyed a great competition.”

With plans to swim the 21-mile Catalina Channel (California), 26-mile Molokai Channel (Hawaii) and the 27K International Swimming Marathon of Toroneos Gulf (Greece) in 2010, a two-way crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar in 2011, the 16-mile Cook Strait (New Zealand) in 2012, the 12-mile Tsugaru Channel (Japan) in 2013 and the 21-mile Irish Channel in 2014, Mallory is currently on a multi-year plan to complete the unprecedented Oceans Seven.

But far away from the Oceans Seven, Mallory is bringing her joy of open water swimming close to home by organzing a race for masters swimmers and endurance athletes.

The charity Swim for Kids’ Sake attracted competitors throughout the Midwest to the ½-mile, 1-mile, 5K and 10K races in Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana.

Site of her marathon swim workouts, Mallory‘s wish that someone would organize a race in Lake Maxinkuckee led to the race, sanctioned by U.S. Masters Swimming with a pre-race clinic led by 1998 world 5K champion Erica Rose (on right with Mallory) – another great example of a swimmer taking the initiative and sharing her joy of open water swimming with others.

Results are posted here.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones