2010 Search for Monongy 1.2 & 2.4-Mile Open Water Swim
Sunday, July 11, 2010 8:00 am
Allegheny River, North Side Riverfront Park, North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Sponsored by: Allegheny Mountain Masters (AMAM)
Sanctioned by Allegheny Mountain LMSC for USMS
Sanction #110-OW-001
Part of the USMS GLOWS Series
The start & finish line are in front of the Heinz Stadium under Fred Rodgers' monument and across the river from Point State Park. The course takes swimmers under two bridges and past the PNC Park field. See the course map
CATEGORIES: Non-Wetsuit, Wetsuit & White Knuckle
WHITE KNUCKLE The use of fins, snorkels, wetsuits, hand paddles, floaties, etc. will be permitted in this category. The meet director shall have the final say on aides permitted on the course. This is a non-competitive category and all participant finishers will receive completion awards.
River Lore
Legend Shas it that “Monongy”, the man-fish lives in the river. There are records that go as far back as the French and Indian War that describe encounters between British soldiers and strange aquatic creatures. The local Indian tribes referred to this creature as "Monongy". There was even a Monongy craze in the early 1930's through the late 1950's. Sightings occurred on a weekly basis and the police department created a task force whose sole purpose was to investigate sightings of the creature. No evidence was ever produced to lend credence to the claims until May 12, 2003 when a privately owned fishing vessel was the first to take photos of the creature. The photos were available on line for a short time until they were inexplicably taken down. Speculation persists that the government has procured the photographs and are covering up the existence of Monongy. Crypto zoologists from around the world still frequent the Monongahela every year to catch a glimpse of the elusive water beast.
REGISTRATION WILL BE ON CLUB ASSISTANT - DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Former Member
Water Temp predictions are 75 - 78 degrees -- historically, no one really cared about the water temps so there isn't any tracking of 'em.
Here is the logo for the event:
All participants will a get t-shirt with this logo on the front & a cap with the logo on it too!
The search for Monongy is on . . . Game on!
Pittsburgh Water Quality:
Amanda: I'm still trying to find river current speed. Seems no one monitors that???!! I have a few ideas of folks to ask . . . as soon as I have an answer, I will post.
Thanks. I assume it's not too extreme as you've made the course a loop rather than point to point, else you'd have to send out an armada to pick up those of us slow folk who get washed downstream :)
Er - Um - I was trying to keep this a Jim Thornton Free Zone - Thanks Leonard!!!!
Jim is only one of the many "talents" / "acts" to call USMS Allegheny Mountain LMSC home.
ViveBene: Thanks for the many suggestions for publicity. There is a FaceBook listing for the event & if you're a "Friend" (even a Frienemy) you were invited. Perhaps you should "friend me"???
In case anyone was looking for more river statistical data, this just in:
U.S. Geological Survey USGS has water quality data available for the Allegheny River.
Also, check out real-time water temperature sites on the Allegheny River:
Allegheny River Main Stem
03012550 Allegheny River at Kinzua Dam, PA
03/30 09:00 EDT
2.9
03036500 Allegheny River at Kittanning, PA
03/30 09:00 EDT
Ssn
03049640 Allegheny R at Lock and Dam No. 3 at Acmetonia, PA
03/30 08:00 EDT
7.4
The logo "Monongy" will be front & center in color and the shirt will be white with Navy bands around sleeve & neck.
Whew!!! I hope I've convinced at least one more swimmer to sign up??
It sounds as though "Search for Monongy" is the first major swim in Pittsburgh's rivers in living memory. That could be a strong inducement for the local community to come out and enjoy its resources (joining Masters to do so), especially with the white knuckle, OW novice-friendly offering.
Thank you, Madame!
Out of curiosity, how does one promote such a swim to the general Pittsborghian public? Traditional media outlets, such as newspaper event listings or radio, or social media, such as USMS's Facebook page? (I think USMS has one.) Flyers at local Y's and gyms?
Such an event should be of interest to local historians and archivists, documentary photographers, possibly the mayor's office. Journalism students might welcome having an unfolding event dropped in their laps as a project. And a tie-in with a clean-water group would give the event a nice sheen while perhaps getting the word out through that group's newsletter.
Totally awesome! Good t-shirt logo, too! Is it big or bitty on the shirt?
:)
She is taking out a full page ad in the Pittsburgh paper announcing that "Jim Thornton will be appearing at..." with the location, date and time.
-LBJ
Oh, er, ah, I just noticed my social calendar is full that weekend. All week, in fact. I'll be paddling the Yukon ... undisclosed location ...
:)
Mermaid has confected the perfect historic event.
Seriously, when the local public murals on underpasses (from 1960s?) were repainted last summer, journalism school at Famous University sent classes to interview the artist on-site, take photos, and write up the event. Some mills pant for grist.
Out of curiosity, how does one promote such a swim to the general Pittsborghian public?
She is taking out a full page ad in the Pittsburgh paper announcing that "Jim Thornton will be appearing at..." with the location, date and time. That's all that needs to be done other than canceling all leave for the police force so they can handle the resultant crowds.
Rumor has it that Libby Ellen Spooner will also be there to sing the National Anthem before the race. If true, they might have to call in the National Guard to beef up the police force.
I am marking this on my calendar as a "do if at all possible." Would be nice to meet some other forumites if you go.
-LBJ
Wow, what a neat looking swim! My inlaws are from Pittsburgh and I love visiting the area. I even got my local liquor store here in NJ to sell Iron City Beer! Unfortunately, I will be heading to CA to do the Lake Tahoe swim that week and I won't be able to swim in Pittsburgh this year.
In 2004 I swam the swim leg of the Pittsburgh Triathlon. It was Olympic Distance (1.5K) and I really enjoyed jumping in in front of Heinz Field, swimming up and back under the Roberto Clemente Bridge. I've seen the Pittsburgh skyline hundreds of times from the ground but NEVER from in the water!
Good luck and I hope I can make it out in 2011.
