Uniquely NYC
Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is the most popular marathon swim in
the world. It's a 28.5 mile full counter-clockwise circumnavigation of
the island of Manhattan. The course of the marathon is marked by four
checkpoints: at Hell Gate, where the East River meets the Harlem;
Spuyten Duyvil, where the Harlem and the Hudson Rivers meet; the 79th
Street Boat Basin on the Hudson River; and Pier 26 in Hudson River Park.
Swimmers who fail to arrive at checkpoints before the designated cut-off
times are at risk of fighting a changing current, and are pulled from
the course.
The event was first held in 1982. It was organized by Drury Gallagher, a
New York entrepreneur, investment banker and swimming enthusiast who
wanted to promote long distance swimming to the Eastern seaboard. The
swimmers compete for a place on the Gallagher Cup, a beautifully crafted
trophy from Tiffany's.
The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is also a symbol of the improving
quality of waterways around New York City. As such, it forged alliances
with a wide range of environmental groups through its promoters.