3.III.C

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.