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The swimmers, accompanied by 100 boats, will swim across Long Island Sound to raise money and support for the thousands of people who are battling cancer and their families. Supporters will gather from 2-6 p.m.to cheer the swimmers as they make their final approach to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport. The dockside celebration is free and open to the public.
“There are no words to describe the feeling of being greeted by hundreds as they cheer us for the home stretch,” said Brian Power, a 23-year-old Fairfield native who is swimming the marathon for the eighth time. “Seeing the doctors and nurses and volunteers is incredible but knowing our efforts are supporting all the people the (St. Vincent’s Medical Center) Foundation touches is the reason I do this every year."
The public is invited to come to Captain’s Cove, located at One Bostwick Ave. in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, to cheer the swimmers on as they finish. The maritime amusement center will be alive with music, entertainment, vendor booths, and the boardwalk shops and restaurant will be open, too. Children of all ages will enjoy the GE Children's Tent.
For a $1 suggested minimum donation per child, they can partake in face painting, arts & crafts and their choice of ice cream and toppings.
The fastest swimmers are expected to start to cross the finish line at approximately 2:30 pm, depending on the weather. The majority of the swimmers are expected to finish around 4 p.m.
St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound Marathon is recognized as one of America’s Top Open Water Swims. Swimmers from all over the world have participated in the annual marathon. At 15.5 miles, the Swim is one of the longest challenges on the World Open Water Swim Association (WOWSA) Top 100 list.
The marathon includes solo swimmers, two-person relays, and four- to six-member relay teams. Universities and corporations also form relay teams.
St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound provides cancer education, screening, and prevention programs at low- or no-cost for the uninsured and underinsured.
In addition, the swim helps individual cancer patients on a case-by-case basis with specific needs, such as the funding of wigs and prostheses, payment of utilities or rent, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, day-care scholarships, support groups and more.
For more information on the event, click here.
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