Courtesy of Julia Galan
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim, courtesy of Nandor Nagy
Memorial Day weekend in the United States is celebrated in a variety of different ways. Whether it’s at a memorial service to honor the fallen, a backyard picnic, or a trip to the beach, Memorial Day represents a time when families and friends unite to start the summer season. For over 600 individuals in the Mid-Atlantic region, however, this holiday weekend was spent in the best possible way for a swimmer: swimming in Reston, Virginia’s Lake Audubon for the 28th Annual Jim McDonnell Lake Swims (JMLS).
Hosted by the Reston Masters Swim Team, the 2015 edition of the 1 and 2-mile swims took place on Sunday, May 24th, under sunny skies and ideal open water conditions. Participants arrived early in the morning to the songs of larks and the honking of a few resident geese, with the water temperatures of the lake at a perfect 70-73 degrees.
Attendance at this year’s event was high, according to JMLS Registrar John Carlson. “This year the JMLS had 598 total splashes for the 1 and 2-Mile races plus 123 splashes for our 1-mile practice swim held on the previous day”, Carlson says. “This year’s numbers are pretty solid. For the two-race format we’ve had as many as 648 splashes in 2011 and as few as 528 splashes in 2013.” Among the notable performances at this year’s swim was that of Naval Academy junior Charlotte Meyer, who was the overall winner of the 2-mile race, shattering the women’s 2-mile race record in the process. Former JMLS director Gordon Gerson reports that “…only two men have ever swum faster than Charlotte’s blistering 40:45 performance in the history of this race”.
While there are a wide variety of open water swims to choose from, it is the warm hearts and top-notch organizational abilities of host club Reston Masters Swim Team that draw participants to the Jim McDonnell Lake Swims. Many are repeat customers, having made the event their Memorial Day weekend tradition. UMAC Masters swimmer and open water veteran Allyson Adams has attended the Lake Swim every year since 2005.
“…I have swum in over 50 open water events around the country, and I think the Reston Masters Swim Team coordinates one of the best races,” she shares. “I will definitely be back next year!” Fellow teammate Carol-lynn Swol agrees. “The JMLS was the first DC-Metro region swim event I entered after moving back to this area three years ago, and it offers a wonderful beginning to my open water swim season each year. This race is always well organized and well supported. I plan to return next year!”
The Lake Swim tradition is not limited to the swimmers alone. A well-organized event requires a united, efficient and friendly team of volunteers, and the Reston Masters had it all. From extensive safety protocols to swimmer organization to participant registration, it was clear to see that all aspects of the race had been carefully planned out and implemented such that the event not only ran like clockwork, but also made for an enjoyable, fun and relaxing day for all involved. Swimmers were lined up into separate heats for their 1 and 2-mile swims early, in order to ensure that the races started in a timely manner. Upon exiting the water, volunteers removed the swimmers’ timing chips and encouraged them to visit the refreshments table, available to all participants during the race. The creatively designed T-shirts presented to each of the participants offered a lovely memento of the day. Medals were presented to the top three finishers in each age group, while swim product company and gold sponsor FINIS offered prize packages to the overall winners of the 1 and 2-mile races. Reston Masters’ dedication to making the event environmentally friendly was also a nice touch, with minimal use of paper products, on-site recycling containers and the recycling of the timing chips used during the race.
Volunteer coordinator Kim Brightwell relates, “
…it is inspiring to see so many swimmers make the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim event part of their Memorial Day weekend tradition each year. In the same way, so many of our fabulous volunteers have made the weekend part of their tradition. Most of us are current members of RMST, some are previous attendees who look forward to helping and catching up with former teammates, and others have no affiliation but just want to help and give to a healthy, inspiring event.” Adds JMLS secretary Michelle Moyer, “…This year we even had five swimmers who are kids of our team members race. All of these people have previously worked our race as volunteers and/or lifeguards. So the legacy continues!”
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim, courtesy of Lisa Groves
The Lake Swim’s sponsors were also vital to the success of the event, with over 24 local and national businesses and organizations offering their support in 2015. Confirms Larry Paulson, JMLS director, “…we were well pleased with the support we received from local businesses this year. Many are long-time supporters, but whether they are old friends or new sponsors we are very grateful for their help. Without their contributions, by check or in kind, it’s hard to imagine the JMLS being the success it has been.”
Funds raised from the Lake Swim go to support a number of worthy causes. Larry Paulson explains, “…we perennially donate a portion of the race proceeds to the Lymphoma Foundation in memory of Jim McDonnell, for whom the race is named, and to Cornerstones as our gift to a local charity. We also like to give to a cause that is meaningful to a member of our team.”
Sadly, this year’s Lake Swim saw the passing of open water enthusiast Dr. Kennon Woods. Kim Brightwell shares, “…as the family of Dr. Woods is uppermost in our thoughts we plan to donate in his memory to a charity of their choice.”
For the Reston Masters, the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim is more than just an annual event – it has become a part of the soul and spirit of the team and they take their organizational role seriously. “After every JMLS we brainstorm ways to improve our event and its administration. We scrutinize our food services, our registration process, our swimmer accounting, our all-important safety plan, and any special additions like Fitter & Faster [a clinic hosted the day before the event] in order to provide the most fulfilling weekend of swimming we possibly can,” shares RMST president Brian Evans.
Despite the hard work that comes with planning and hosting such a large event, the RMST members feel that the rewards are more than worth the effort. “As anyone who has put on an event like this knows, it takes a small army to pull everything together with lots of people working through the year to make preparations,” concludes Kim Brightwell. “All of the work becomes fun as we see the ‘plan come together’. It is exhilarating to watch as the waves of swimmers in their designer caps start their swims, make their way through the course, and then come through the finish line, tired but happy in their accomplishment.”
As a result of RMST’s dedication, the JMLS is ranked among the top 50 open water swims in the nation. With such a compassionate, competent and enthusiastic team at the helm, it is not difficult to see why. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event. Hope to see you there!
About Julia Galan
Julia Galan is a lifelong competitive swimmer and a USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming coach. Julia’s passion for the sport, for coaching and for writing led to the creation of Swimspire, a coaching and swimming inspiration source geared towards athletes of all levels and goals.
I participated in the 2-mile race this year. RMST put on a wonderful, professionally-run event and the weather was perfect. Kudos to all of the volunteers for making this one of the premier races in the country. I plan be back next year!