2008 USMS 25K Open Water National Championship

Some of this nation's best long distance masters swimmers were challenged by Morse Reservoir on Saturday July 19, 2008.

The Inaugural 2008 25K USMS National Championship (U.S. Masters Swimming), sponsored by TYR, will cover 15.5 miles. Swimmers took the plunge at the South Harbour Clubhouse & Beach and swam north towards the bridge on Little Chicago Road; rounding the bay at Little Chicago Road, they swam back to SH Beach to complete the 3.1 mile (5K) loop. Four more laps around this course determined who prevailed as National Champions.

The event is over and here are some of the responses we received by the participants:

"2008 25K Open Water Nationals in Indiana - Superb Event
Have just returned from the Inaugural 25K Open Water Nationals held at the Morse Reservoir outside of Indianapolis this past Saturday. It was an absolutely superbly organized and unforgettable event. The race director, Dick Sidner, went to extremes to make sure that every detail of the experience was just perfect, and he was ably assisted by members of his family, English Channel swimmer and author Marcia Cleveland, and others. The event was held on a well protected part of a very scenic reservoir/lake. Every swimmer who did not come with a kayaker, was provided with one (or more).
The 5 x 5K loop was measured with the finest of precision. When a fellow swimmer and I arrived a couple of days early, Dick invited us to his home and took us for a tour of the course in his pontoon boat. For the entire four days we were in town, Dick, his wife Lisa, his mother-in-law, and the other organizers treated us like family. The race was very safe. The field was incredibly strong. The kayakers did a great job. When I finished the race I hugged Marcia Cleveland, I hugged my kayaker Chris who provided me with so much encouragement, and I wanted to hug everyone else who made this event so memorable - thanks to all of you!!" - Jon Lenchner

"Dick and Marcia,
You two deserve high praise for your efforts this past year, especially over the weekend. The 25K race was conducted EXTRAORDINARILY well. Essentially, I have no critical feedback to improve the race, simply praise for how well the race was conducted!

Exceptional notes should be called toward a few things:

the race website was very helpful (perhaps add a FAQ or Discussion Forum???); the clock on the course was very helpful; the buoys were visible (I'll give Clemson the edge for their BIG BRIGHT ORANGE buoys spaced every 500M - can USMS invest in 20 big buoys to be transferred among national championship sites?) and the color changes at the turn and both lengths was nice (did some buoys drift a bit???); the kayakers were dilligent (my 2 kayakers alternated each lap); the splits in the results were awesome! Thank you for that. (I wish every race had split takers at the 2.5K mark! This detail will help me train better!); the post-race food was excellent and the box lunch ideal for me since I had to travel/drive that afternoon); the Internet results (very prompt, thank you).

On another issue, the community of Noblesville/Forest Park Pool/Morse Reservoir/etc. were extremely courteous. The GRIN swimmers at the pre-race meeting were very helpful. The pontoon captains were very gracious. The Morse residents very courteous of the swimmers. As a fellow midwesterner I have to say that nowhere is there better hosting than in the midwest!

Overall, I have not been to a better national championship event or swim. You all thought of everything. Thank you. Your efforts were exceptional. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished. I am quite certain that memories of this race will linger longer than most of the races that I have done - swimming or other sports. I am very proud to have been a participant in this event.

Congratulations on your national championship race direction!!!" - Tim Waid

"Thank you Dick Sidner, Marcia Cleveland, NASTi, and Volunteers
Woa! Noblesville, IN put on the BEST run OW I've ever attended. I can't think of one single issue that I had for the entire trip (other than I think I should have trained more). I don't think I can blame anyone for that problem other than myself!

Wonderfully well run. Thank you so much to Dick, Marcia, all the wonderful volunteers, my AMAZING kayakers Hank and Allie, and all the NASTi volunteers. It was a huge event to host and pull off - and it was done perfectly! Can't wait for a big brunch tomorrow with the team and competitors!

THANK YOU!!! I look forward to visiting again soon!" - Kristina U (from the USMS Forum)

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