2013 USMS 5K Open Water National Championship

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Registration Schedule

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Event Information

Host:  Gulf Coast Swim Team and Lee County Parks & Recreation

Event Director:  Gregg Cross

Referee:  Mark McCaw

Location:  Miromar Lakes ~ 10861 Miromar Lakes Parkway ~ Miromar Lakes, FL 33913
(~30-minutes southeast of Fort Myers, FL, and ~15-minutes south of Southwest International Airport)
http://www.miromarlakes.com/location/

Course:  Miromar Lakes is a deep, fresh water lake. The swim course is three counterclockwise laps around a 1.666K L-shaped loop (see Course Map). The swim course will be clearly marked with large yellow marine Turn Buoys and intermediate Guide Buoys. The race starts in-water and finishes through chute to land finish at the computer-timing chip pad at the Miromar Lakes water’s edge.

Timeline:   Friday, April 26, 2013*
                   6:00 PM Pre-Race Technical Meeting & Questions/Answers (optional)
                   6:30 PM Deadline for any swimmer substitutions for entered relays

                  * = Dates and times are Eastern Time Zone

Time Limit:   Maximum time to complete the 5K is 2.5-hours. Swimmers in the water after the time limit will be notified that the race is over and they must leave the water at that time. Results will show their time as Did Not Finish (DNF).

Eligibility:   Open to swimmers age 18-years & over, as of April 27, 2013. All swimmers must be registered for 2013 with U.S. Masters Swimming or a FINA Masters Swimming organization. Foreign swimmers are not eligible for USMS records or All-American status. A copy of the 2013 USMS Registration Card must be attached to the paper registration entry. Paper registration entries received without a copy of the entrant's 2013 USMS Registration Card will be returned. Online registration entries for USMS swimmers will be automatically verified at www.ClubAssistant.com. One-Event (OEVT) registration membership is not available for this race. To renew or join USMS Online, visit http://www.usms.org/reg/.

Relays:  Relays are cumulative relays (individual 5K swim times are added for a total time). Swimmers may enter one same gender relay (3 swimmers) and one mixed gender relay (2 men + 2 women). All relay members must be registered with the same USMS club and each member must be registered in the individual event. Substitution of relay swimmers allowed up to 6:30 pm ET at the pre-race Technical Meeting on Friday, April 26, 2013. Late Race day relay PAPER entries only will be accepted until 9:30 am ET with an Late relay entry fee of $24 per relay.

Entry Fees & Deadlines:                                   

NO REFUNDS – NO TRANSFERS – NO DEFERRALS – NO WAIT LISTS

Rules: Current 2013 USMS rules and regulations (e.g., Part 2 & Part 3) and USMS Open Water Safety Objectives will govern this event.

Safety:  Safety --- OUR PRIMARY CONCERN:  For safety reasons, swimmers unable to compete or complete the 5K open water swimming distance in 2.5-hours are advised not to enter this event. Swimmers on the course after 2.5-hours will be stopped and listed as “DNF” in the results. For safety purposes, event-supplied caps must be worn at the start. Swimmers may choose to wear their own caps under the official caps. Safety watercrafts (e.g., boats, etc.) and lifeguards will monitor the entire course. Swimmers must wear body-marked race numbers on arms, hands, and back for identification. Medical personnel will be on-site. Read the Event Safety and Medical Plan at http://www.dixiezone.org/Meets/1304miromar_safe.pdf.

NAIL CLIP CAUTION:  For the safety of swimmers, fingernails and toenails must be clipped. Event officials will check fingernail and toenail length before race start. Clippers will be available and will be used. Please plan ahead and trim before positive registration check-in.

Swimwear:   Only USMS Category I swimwear is allowed (see http://www.usms.org/rules/part3.pdf, Rules 303.7.1 & 303.7.2). Category II swimwear (e.g., Wetsuits) are NOT eligible in the 2013 USMS 5K Open Water National Championship (and Relays).

Water Temperature:  76F to 80F (estimated range).

Age:  The swimmer’s age on April 27, 2013 determines the swimmer’s age group. Individual Men and Women gender age groups are 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, etc., in five-year increments, as needed. Cumulative Relay age groups are 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, etc., in 10-year increments as needed based on the age of the youngest member.

Timing:  Electronic computer chip timing will be used. Each swimmer will wear an electronic timing chip as an ankle bracelet to automatically record their time. Times will be recorded as swimmers cross the finish line. The timing chip must be returned or a $10 charge will be assessed to the swimmer.

Results:  Results will be posted at http://www.usms.org and http://www.dixiezone.org/Meets.htm.

Lodging:   For the best rates, call Lee County Sports Housing to book lodging for this event (239) 541-1800 or (888) 529-6588. Ask for accommodations near Miromar Lakes. Swimmers may also book Online at: http://leecountysportshousing.org/event/277.

Transportation:  All major airlines serve the greater Southwest Florida area. The Regional Southwest International Airport (RSW) is less than two miles to the north. The Tampa and Fort Lauderdale airports are each about two hours away. All major rental car companies are available at the Regional Southwest International Airport.

Parking:  Parking is available at Miromar Lakes. Overflow parking is across the street at the Miromar Lakes Golf Clubhouse. No cost to park vehicle.

Questions:  http://www.openwaterfestival.org
Gregg Cross: (239) 462-3322 or e mailto:GreggCR@LeeSchools.net

Travel Directions (link to area map and course map):
From I-75 North
1. Use Exit 128 (Alico Road) and turn left (east) at the stoplight.
2. Turn right (south) at Ben Hill Griffin Blvd (stoplight). Gulf Coast Town Center shopping center will be on the southwest corner.
3. Turn left (east) on to Miromar Lakes Blvd. (stoplight), proceed past the roundabout and through the gate. Turn left at the end of the road. Parking i is past the clubhouse on the right.

From I-75 South
1. Use Exit 123 (Corkscrew Road) and bear right (east).
2. Turn left (north) onto Ben Hill Griffin Blvd (second stoplight). Miromar Outlet Mall will be on the northwest corner.
3. Drive past the entrances to Florida Gulf Coast University; then turn right (east) onto Miromar Lakes Blvd. (stoplight), proceed past the roundabout and through the gate. Turn left at the end of the road. Parking is past the clubhouse on the right.

From Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
1. Exit the airport. The road will end at Treeline Blvd. (same street as Ben l Hill Griffin Blvd.; just a different name). Turn left.
2. Continue past Alico Road (stoplight).
3. Turn left (east) on to Miromar Lakes Blvd. (stoplight), proceed past the round-about and through the gate. Turn left at the end of the road. Parking is past the clubhouse on the right.

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "ClubAssistant.com Events."