After several days of rain the weather broke just in time for the 19th Annual Bill Reeve Echo Lake Swim on Saturday, August 10th. 79 swimmers, aged 9-74, participated in this year’s swim. Sam Manhart, Holden, was the top overall finisher in the 1.5 mile swim with a time of 32:53.56. Manhart edged out last year’s champion, Maks Grover of Ellsworth, who finished 2nd overall with a time of 34:30.50. Travis Libsack, Freeport, finished 3rd with a time of 34:32.87 followed by Sam Alvarado, Lamoine, 35:08.43 and Bailey York, Bar Harbor, 35:48.65. Erin Connery, SW Harbor, was the top female finisher, and 6th overall, setting a new course record with a time of 36:54.84.
Maks Grover was the top finisher in the 500 yard swim with a 6:01.84, followed closely by Sam Alvarado with 6:02.62. Kohl Shaw, Bernard, was third 7:12.43, followed by Camden Holmes, Ellsworth, in 7:42.52. The top female finisher was Kendra Holler, Orinda, Ca, in a time of 7:45.52.
Bill Reeve, who started the event 19 years ago with a handful of local Masters, helped hand out awards at the end of the event. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped in rescue boats and with registration and cooking. Thanks to Acadia national Park for use of Ike’s Point. Thanks to Clarke’s Porta Potty for supplying a bathroom facility and to MDI Sailing Center for use of their race markers.
