Community Corner

Swimmers In The Lake This Weekend

Hundreds will head to Lake Audubon for annual Jim McDonnell Lake Swims.

Most of the time, it is no swimming in the lakes in Reston. Not this weekend, though, when hundreds of swimmers will head to Lake Audubon.

About 800 swimmers are regsitered for the 24th Jim McDonnell Lake Swim sponsored by Reston Masters Swim Team.

The the two-day event, held each Memorial Day weekend, features an open water clinic, a one-mile swim and a two-mile swim. It is one of only four national events sanctioned by U.S. Masters Swimming as part of its new H2Open Series.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The lake swims are popular with regional swimmers and triathletes who want to build experience in open water swimming, as well as open water swimmers preparing for the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on June 12, says Gordon Gerson, president of Reston Masters Swim Team.

"Open water swimming is a big deal," said Gerson. "Two years ago, the one-mile swim here was the national championship."

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lake Audubon is also the site of the swim portion of the annual Reston Triathlon, held in September.

The course starts and ends at the Lake Audubon boat ramp, next to the Lake Audubon Pool, and hugs the perimeter of the lake. Water temperature should be about 75 degrees, but could vary. Wetsuits are banned if the water temperature is above 78 degrees.

Reston has hosted an open water swim since 1988. In 1999, the swim was renamed the Jim McDonnell Two-Mile Swim in honor of Reston Masters team member Jim McDonnell, who died in 1998 of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Jim was a founding member of the team and was on the meet committee that organized the first swim.

Next year, the lake swim plans to add a 5K open water race as part of its 25th anniversary celebration, says Gerson.

The event also raises money for local charities, including Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Live Strong. Last year, the swim raised more than $13,000.

Registration is closed, but spectators are welcome to watch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here