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
Leonard,
There are approximately 25 hotels within 3.5 miles of the start to finish line. There were tooooooo many to list.
Do a search from this point:
North Side Riverfront Park, North Shore Drive & Art Rooney Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15212
That should get you a pretty good list --
Attendees should also contact Jim Thornton about renting in his little Bed & Breakfast in Olde Economy.
I don't know the Pittsburgh area at all, but just noticed that the race course is within easy walking distance of the Amtrak station. I LOVE to take the train whenever I can, so that pretty well seals the deal.
Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced hotel also within walking distance? (Walking distance is within 2 or 3 miles of the race course as long as the route doesn't pass through a combat zone.)
-LBJ
Martin Public Relations is now a sponsor of this event. Please visit their site:
www.martinpublicrelations.com/
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact me.
www.threeriversrowing.org/weatherhome.html
The link above has both temp and flow info for the river. I just swam in the Allegheny last Friday and it was a-okay!
I am def doing this swim. So excited to have this in Pittsburgh! Hooray!
I've just signed up for this.
Look out - I've swum three races in my life. Two of them I came in DFL. I sure hope the after-swim breakfast lasts a long time.
Mick
Turns out I won't make this one... same weekend as a very special uncle's 85th birthday party... Hope everyone has a great time! I'll put this one on my Must Do List for next year.
Mick, I have been known to finish last in an OW swim or two. My thought is that I still did better than those who stayed home and watched tv instead. :) Have fun!
The river temp is 82 F. What are the rules for wetsuits? I can't remember what division I signed up for but there is no way I am swimming in water that is warmer than a pool in a wetsuit so I hope I can switch on race day if I was silly enough to circle wetsuit on my registration form.
Regarding the currents, a friend of mine did a kayaking event in that same stretch of the Allegheny a few weeks ago. He said the overall current was not that strong, but the currents throughout the course were of a "swirling" nature. Sounds like this swim will be anything but boring!!
Anybody know if the media will be there? Perhaps someone should alert them to a unique urban aquatic adventure like this.
Can anybody recommend a nice place for lunch, especially within walking distance of the event site? Gotta keep the family fed.