Central Illinois Open Water Swim 2026

Description

This is an open water competition in a fresh water lake. Evergreen Lake is 925 acres in COMLARA Park, managed by the McLean County Parks & Recreation Department. The host for the swim is the Central Illinois Masters Swim Team, Inc. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting swimming in Central Illinois.

SCHEDULE: 7:00 A.M. Start Registration Check-In and Body Marking 8:00 A.M. Warmup Start 8:30 A.M. Close Warmup, Registration Check-In and Body Marking 8:35 A.M. Required Pre-Race Course Briefing [at swim start/beach area] 9:00 A.M. Wave 1: 2.4-Miles [In-Water Start] 9:10 A.M. Wave 2: 1.2-Miles [In-Water Start] 11:15 A.M. Recognition

* All times are Central Time (CT)

EVENT HOST: Central Illinois Masters Swim Team, Inc. (CIMST) http://cimst.org

FACILITY/VENUE HOST: McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation www.mcleancountyil.gov

VENUE LOCATION: Evergreen Lake at Comlara Park 13001 Recreation Area Drive, Hudson, Illinois 61748

DIRECTIONS: North 8-miles on Interstate 39 (from Bloomington/Normal, IL and Interstates I-74 & I-55) Exit I-39 at Exit 8 1.3-miles West on McLean County Hwy 8 (E 2500N) to McLean County Highway 33 (N 1275E) 0.5-mile South on McLean County Hwy 33 (N 1275E) to Recreation Area Drive West onto Recreation Area Drive 0.5-mile to PARKING and REGISTRATION CHECK-IN

EVENT OFFICIALS: Event Director: Miranda Jackson Referees: Scott Penland and Todd Schmidt

RULES & SAFETY : Current USMS Open Water rules will apply. Under USMS Open Water rules, your age is determined as of December 31, 2026, except that you must be at least age 18-years old on race day. USMS registration is required of all participants. All participants are required to wear the event supplied brightly colored swim cap and have their body marked with registration number for safety reasons. For non-wetsuit competitions, swimmers shall wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials and not contain clasps or zippers. For both men and women, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles. View USMS Open Water rules here: https://www.usms.org/rules/part3.pdf

CHECK-IN: Starts at 7:00 A.M. and closes at 8:30 A.M. CT. For safety reasons no one will be allowed to swim without positive check-in before 8:30 A.M. CT - no exceptions. Your USMS Membership Card and photo identification are required at check-in - registrations are not transferable.

COURSE BRIEFING: 8:35 A.M. CT REQUIRED for ALL participants.

COURSE: Triangular 1.2 Mile loop course marked by buoys, lifeguards on rescue boards, rowboats, kayaks, officials, and other safety resources. In-water start, swim counter-clockwise around three orange 8-foot tetrahedron turn buoys (with red guide buoys on straight-aways), exit water with brief run on beach sand, and through finish chute. Course is subject to change if event day conditions warrant. Please note that a cool down swim in the lake is not available following completion of swimming.

EVERGREEN LAKE WATER AND AIR TEMPERATURE: Anticipated water temperature range: 73 to 83°F. Anticipated air temperature range: 75 to 80°F. Water and air temperature updates will be e-mailed to registrants periodically during the weeks/days leading to the event.

WETSUITS: Based on conditions at race time and the discretion of the CIOWS Director, wetsuits may be allowed when the Evergreen Lake water temperature is below 78°F. If 78°F or higher - no wetsuits - no exceptions.

USMS/ILMSA MEMBER ONLINE REGISTRATION: Online CIOWS entry registration includes USMS membership verification. You must bring your current USMS Registration Card. The cost for USMS/ILMSA membership is in addition to your event entry fee. One Event (OEVT) membership to USMS is available.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Online registration entry provides immediate entry confirmation and e-mail receipt.

PAPER ENTRIES: NOT AVAILABLE

NO TRANSFERS. NO DEFERRAL