2009 Minnetonka Challenge

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Registration Schedule

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2009 MINNETONKA CHALLENGE
23rd ANNUAL 5-MILE OPEN WATER SWIM
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009
Sanctioned by Minnesota Local Masters Swimming Committee for USMS Inc., Sanction #309-006 OW

LOCATION: Lake Minnetonka – Excelsior Beach
ROUTE: www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/mn/excelsior/412340385

DATE:  Saturday, July 18, 2009
START:  Lake Minnetonka – Excelsior Beach
ROUTE:  http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/mn/excelsior/412340385
TIME:  5:30-6:20am Mandatory Check in - Excelsior Beach for Swimmers and Escorts
Pre-Race Meeting:  6:30 am Mandatory Swimmer & Escort briefing

Escorts:  Escort boats dispatched from beach prior to each wave
Wave 1:  6:40 am Start 3-hour+ swimmers
Wave 2:  6:50 am Females
Wave 3:  7:00 am Relays and Males 50 & over
Wave 4:  7:10 am Males 49 and under
Finish:  Wayzata Beach (Fruit, muffins, and drinks provided at the beach)
Awards:  10:30-11:00 am Awards ceremony!  You must be present to receive your award.

Safety:  All swimmers must pre-register.  Swimmers are required to check in on race day prior to 6:20 am.  Swim caps will be provided and must be worn.  Each swimmer must have an escort canoe and two paddlers.  Escorts must wear approved life jackets.  Escort boats must have emergency flag and an extra life jacket for the swimmer.  The emergency flags will be provided.

Escort Canoes:  Escort canoe must be registered (licensed).  Canoe must be non-motorized and able to support paddler(s) and swimmer(s).  No kayaks allowed - must be a canoe.  Each escort boat will require a signed exotic species form required by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District.

CHANGE FOR 2009:  There will be NO canoes provided by the race committee.  You must arrange your own support escort boat. 

Relays:  3 person relays can compete as a team.  Swimmers will exchange places at Big and Spirit Islands.  Approximate distances are:
Excelsior to Big Island:  2 miles
Big Island to Spirit Island:  2 miles
Spirit Island to Wayzata Beach:  1 mile

Registration:
ONLINE REGISTRATION (preferred) must be completed by midnight CST on July 14, 2009.  Paper registrations must be post marked by July 6, 2009.  Late and race day entries will not be accepted.

Entry Fees:  $25 Each Swimmer   
Relays:  $25 each swimmer.  Note that online relay registration will be available in mid-June.
Entry Fees are non-refundable.  If the race is cancelled due to inclement weather or other uncontrollable circumstances, there will be no refunds.  Online entry fees will be charged to your credit card by Club Assistant Event Billing.  Visa and Mastercard only.

Events: 
Individual  (5-mile)
Relay (5-mile (2-mile, 2-mile, 1-mile)) three swimmers

Eligibility:  All swimmers must be USMS members.  To join USMS or renew USMS membership, use links on the next page of this online registration or go to www.minnesotamasters.com.

Race Time Limit:  Swimmers must be at the half-way point by 8:45am in order to be allowed to finish the race.

Wetsuits:  Allowed, but swimmers will NOT be eligible for awards

Course Warnings:  May be windy.  May have occasional weeds.  Avoid encountering fishing boats. 

Awards:
T-Shirts for all finishers – each swimmer for finishing relay.
Age 18 and Under:  Top Three Finishers
Ages 19 to 49:  Top Three Females and Top Three Males
Ages 50 and Up:  Top Three Females and Top Three Males
Relays:  Top Three Female Teams, Top Three Male Teams, Top Three Co-ed Teams

Other Awards:  Youngest Finisher, Oldest Finisher, Youngest combined age Relay finish, Oldest combined age Relay finish, Finisher who lives farthest from Lake Minnetonka

Parking:
Excelsior:  Meters and off-street parking (residential)
Wayzata:  Beach parking lot (some spaces require Wayzata permit)

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "MINNESOTA MASTERS."