SWIM Across The Sound Marathon

Set For July 28

BRIDGEPORT — Eager swimmers and cheering crowds will join together Saturday, July 28, for the 25th Annual St Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound Marathon fundraiser. Approximately 225 swimmers accompanied by a fleet of 110 boats will launch off Danford’s Marina in Port Jefferson, N.Y., at 8:30 am, starting the 26 kilometer (15.5 mile) journey across the Long Island Sound to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport.

In 2012, SWIM Across the Sound is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Since 1987, the SWIM has raised funds to offer 45 different cancer education, screening, and support services to cancer patients and their families.

SWIM Across the Sound offers a significant safety net to the region by providing one-on-one financial assistance to cancer patients in the community by helping with mortgages, utility bills, medications, transportation to and from treatments, groceries, etc. Sponsored by St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, the SWIM touches the lives of more than 20,000 individuals annually.

This year’s swim field is composed of approximately 17 solo swimmers, 40 team relays of four to six swimmers and five two-person relays. In addition to the “Traditional” and University Challenge” team relays; a new non-wetsuit category called “Classic” is being introuced. All the team members in this category must wear lycra-type suits only.

Each team relay is required to raise a minimum of $7,500, two-person relays are required to raise a minimum of $3,500, and solo swimmers a minimum of $1,500. The marathon is one of 35 fundraising events held throughout the year. In 2011, swimmers raised more than $400,000, helping SWIM Across the Sound to reach its annual fundraising goal of $2.6 million.

Members of the public are invited to come down to Captain’s Cove, located at One Bostwick Avenue in the historic Black Rock section of Bridgeport, and cheer the swimmers on as they finish this unique event. The maritime amusement center will be alive with music, entertainment, vendor booths, and the boardwalk shops and restaurant will be open, too.

Many swimmers have already registered for this year’s marathon, however, registration is still open. Visit : http://give.stvincents.org/joinmarathon2012 or call the St Vincent’s Foundation at 203-576-5451 to fill out an application.

To support a swimmer, visit the SWIM website www.swimacrossthesound.org/marathon2012 and select Support a Swimmer from the left-hand menu.