ANSWERS
I'm not on a swim team, am I eligible to swim in this race?
This event is open to all USMS (United States Masters Swimming) registered swimmers 18 years of age or older on the day of the race. Any swimmer not USMS registered with PNA must submit a photocopy of their current registration card prior to race check-in. If you are not on a team and thus not registered, USMS "One-Event Registration" is available for this event for $20.00.
How do I join PNA if I'm going to swim in more than one race this summer and don't want to pay the one-event fee?
Join PNA/Masters Swimming (USMS) by going to: http://registration.usms.org (For new and renewing members, for Pacific Northwest Aquatics, the club abbreviation is "PNA".) If you already registered for the event and want to apply your "One-Event Registration Fee" towards your membership, please contact Arni Litt. See below for her contact info.
Who do I talk to if I have questions about joining PNA?
Email Arni Litt or call 206.849.1387
How much is the entry fee?
- $45 prior to July 1st
- $55 from July 1st until race is closed
On-line registration closes at 11:59 pm, on Tuesday prior to the race, OR SOONER, if the event reaches capacity — whichever comes first.
If you are not a registered USMS or CM swimmer — add $20 to the above prices.
How do I register?
When registration is open, there will be a link on our homepage that says REGISTER HERE.
There is no paper registration. There is no day-of-race registration. We do not fill no-show slots on the day of the race.
I've heard there are time guidelines - what are they?
- 1.2 Mile Race participants should be able to swim a 1650 free in 45 minutes or less.
- 3.2 Mile Race participants should be able to swim a 5000 yard free in less than 1 hour 45 minutes.
Participants who have not finished the 3.2 mile swim in 2 hours MAY BE PULLED from the water at the discretion of the Race Director and Safety Official, no questions asked. Swimmers in the 1.2 mile race who fall behind the 3 mile swimmers will be pulled as well.
You can read more about this here:
Time Guidelines and Safety Disclaimer
What happens if I don't think I can swim that fast, but I'm really comfortable in the water and I really want to participate in this event?
These guidelines are for the safety of everyone involved in the event. We're not trying to exclude anyone, but we must give fair warning that you may be pulled from the race if your speed puts others at risk. There are many reasons for this: Simply put, it's not an easy race to swim or support. For example, you are not going to be swimming close to shore for a quick exit. And we do not want you to leave the water onto the nearest shore exit during the race. Lake Washington is big and very deep and finding people is virtually impossible. We only have a certain number of volunteers and boats to keep everyone safe. Should one or two swimmers be way behind the pack, and we need to start having one boat per person, this jeopardizes the safety of the entire group, therefore if the Race Director and Safety Official or the lifeguards feel you are a safety risk, you will be pulled from the water. You can read more about this here: Time Guidelines and Safety Disclaimer.
I'm a first timer - should I sign up for the ‘1' or ‘3' mile race?
Only you can make this decision, but if you have any doubt at all, we strongly recommend that you sign up for the shorter distance. We hope that you have an enjoyable experience, learn what this race is all about, and then come back the next year and try for the longer distance event with the proper knowledge and training. (NOTE: Time enforcement and the chances of you being pulled into a boat are a lot less likely in the 1-mile event!)
How cold is the water and should I wear a wetsuit?
Water temperature has been anywhere from 58°F to 72°F at this time of year. The lake is much colder than the average swimming pool. Many participants choose to wear a wetsuit. There are definitely many who choose to go without as well, it depends on your comfort level and cold water tolerance.
Since we go to Madison Park for pre-race check-in, how do I get to the starting line?
Carpool!! At the end of the mandatory pre-race meeting, people with cars will be asked to raise their hands in order to help shuffle people into groups and get down to their starting lines. It always seems to work out. If you have a car we encourage you to drive as many people as you can, and if you need a ride, look for someone who has a car. These are friendly people! Then, after the race festivities are over, if you got a ride to the start, you can offer someone a ride back to pick up their car. Carpooling is necessary for the 3 mile event. Many swimmers do walk from Madison Park down to the start of the one mile event. You have oodles of time to get there as the 1 mile race does not begin until 9 am at the earliest.
How do I get my clothes and stuff back to the finish line?
There will be plastic bags given to everyone when you check in. You'll mark them with your race number. Your gear goes in the marked bag at the start and put on a truck to be transported back to the Madison Park finish area.
Can I really swim for free if I bring kayakers or a motorboat and driver with me?
Entry fees will be reimbursed to anyone who can provide us with a motor boat and driver, OR two kayakers with paddlers. However, we must know about them ahead of race day so that we can make sure they are qualified to volunteer and also give them the proper instructions. Then, your volunteer-friends must show up on the day of race in order for you to get the refund, so you must still pay to enter the race now. If you are not a USMS registered swimmer, you must still pay the "One Event" fee, therefore that part is not reimbursable.
How do I get to Madison Park?
FROM SOUTH Driving on I-5 Northbound:
- Take the DEARBORN ST./ JAMES ST. exit, EXIT 164A, toward MADISON ST.
- (Don't exit on Dearboarn though...) Take the I-5 N exit on the LEFT toward MADISON ST/CONVENTION CENTER/VANCOUVER BC. 0.2 mi
- Take the exit toward MADISON ST./CONVENTION PLACE. 0.2 mi
- Stay STRAIGHT to go onto 7TH AVE. 0.0 mi
- Turn RIGHT onto MADISON ST. 3.1 mi
- Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E HOWE ST., park will be in front of you.
FROM NORTH Driving on I-5 Southbound:
- Merge onto WA-520 E via EXIT 168B on the LEFT (toward BELLEVUE/KIRKLAND)
- Take the MONTLAKE BLVD exit toward UNIV OF WASH. 0.2 mi
- Turn RIGHT onto MONTLAKE BLVD E. 0.0 mi
- MONTLAKE BLVD E becomes E MONTLAKE PL E. 0.1 mi
- E MONTLAKE PL E becomes 24TH AVE E. 0.5 mi
- Turn LEFT onto E INTERLAKEN BLVD. 0.4 mi
- Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD E. 0.4 mi
- Turn LEFT onto E MADISON ST. 1.0 mi
- Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E HOWE ST., park will be in front of you.
From EAST SIDE, via 520 W:
- Take the LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD exit. 0.5 mi
- Turn LEFT onto LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD E. 1.2 mi
- Turn LEFT onto E MADISON ST. 1.0 mi
- Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E HOWE ST., park will be in front of you.
From EAST SIDE, via I-90W:
- Merge onto I-5 North
- Follow "Driving on I-5 Northbound" instructions above
DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN FERRY TERMINAL:
- Start out going NORTHWEST on ALASKAN WAY toward MARION ST. 0.0 mi
- Turn RIGHT onto MARION ST. 0.4 mi
- Turn LEFT onto 6TH AVE. 0.1 mi
- Turn RIGHT onto MADISON ST. 3.2 mi
- Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E HOWE ST., park will be in front of you.
If using www.mapquest.com to print your own directions for the destination use: "Intersection of E Madison St and 43rd Ave E" Zip code is 98112.
Where can I park?
PLEASE DO NOT park directly in front of the restaurants and businesses of the "downtown" Madison Park
neighborhood adjacent to the park. (You will be ticketed, guaranteed!) Please park on the South side of Madison Park or in the nearby residential areas.
Park responsibly and please also be courteous in the residential neighborhood. Not everyone is going to be as excited to be awake on a Saturday morning as you are!
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