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
All race participants should check their e-mail in boxes for my last minute details.
Water Quality: As of 5pm on Saturday, June 10th, Alcosan conducted a bacteria test to report to the Allegheny County Health Department. This test was determined to be SAFE! The report was issued to the health department - whom you may or may not get your instant messages from - once the Heath Department reviews it, they will then issue or rescind their warnings. Please note that our event is up-stream of Alcosan (on the Ohio River) and that the Allegheny River is a moving body of water - rather than a stagnant collection pond. Based on all the evidence available to me and the recommendations rendered, I am confident that the health & safety of the participants & volunteers will not be compromised by deciding to proceed with the swim event.
There are CSO release points all up and down all three rivers. None near the point (they do have storm sewer overflows but not combined) but there are three on the Allegheny. If you really want to see the locations, they have a map here.
www.alcosan.org/.../PubAdvisorySigns24x36_June2010.pdf
I am sure the they tested the water and I am sure it's fine. I don't doubt you. But if someone is immunocompromised or otherwise needs to use extra caution, they should have accurate information.
Temp: 81.14 F
Current: 4,870 cfs (negligible).
But the current combined sewer overflow status is RED meaning that there is overflow happening. I don't see how that is possible since it has not rained since Friday. I am going anyway but I don't have any large open wounds or other health issues.
So glad to see an event like this in Pittsburgh!
Completely awesome event -- I can't thank the volunteers, participants & emergency personnel enough for the easy going spirit and willingness to help & assist in any way possible.
This is the first race in the GLOWS series - may the rest of the swims go so smoothly.
Thank you!
:applaud:
Congratulations! You set the bar high!
On to the next GLOWS swim!
Completely awesome event -- I can't thank the volunteers, participants & emergency personnel enough
All true. The river was delightful. Thanks so much for the chance to swim in a new venue.
Completely awesome event -- I can't thank the volunteers, participants & emergency personnel enough for the easy going spirit and willingness to help & assist in any way possible.
This is the first race in the GLOWS series - may the rest of the swims go so smoothly.
Thank you!
YUP! Jimmy & Carl are still swimming. They make the pilgrimage to Ft. Lauderdale for YMCA Nationals. This year, 2010, Jimmy was assigned to his house for healing - so he missed the meet.
Both still swim at the JCC and the outdoor 50m pool in Monroeville in the summer.
So much fun. Great day. The city is gorgeous from the middle of the river.
I made the disconcerting discovery that I have to be in better shape than I currently am, if I want to attain DFL status.
This was the first OW race I've done that involved a circuit. Options for two times around. That seems standard for OW races, but I've never done a race like that.
I did the one lap option.
The guy who got all the glory being the last to finish was one of the two lap folks, of course. A person couldn't really be DFL with one lap.
I have to work out harder to be able to do two circuits. So I have train more if I want to get the coveted DFL spot next year.
It's so much work to get to the bottom!
Everyone needs goals.
In the meantime, take a look at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Searching for Monongy; 52 take a swim in tepid Allegheny
Way to go!
The article is quite the human interest story! Very nice to have so many quotes from participants, plus a mention that amateurs can swim Masters events. (And one swimmer with a wry sense of humor proposing a re-do in January.)
Wonder whether you'll see an uptick in registration?
:)
And here is a nifty video recorded by Dan, one of the volunteer kayakers.
Notice the skyline, calm water, & my oh my, what strokes!!!!
YouTube- Search for Monongy.wmv
