The Course | Map Location
Photos: 1998 | 1999 | 2001 | 2002
Winners since 1986 | Oldest since 1986 | Best Times
Results: 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
Combined Men & Women Results: 2008 |
Women Splits: 2007 | 2008 |
Men Splits: 2007 | 2008 |
Town of St Marys | Stratford Tourism Location
Tributes: Jack Galvin | Beverley Tucker
London Silver Dolphins - Home Page
The St Marys 5 km swims were started in 1982 by The University of Western Ontario Aquatic Masters, with Bob Miles as the championship secretary. Since that time Bob has moved several times and has changed his career from Nurse to Native Minister in the Nass Valley of British Columbia. Reverend Miles is seen in the photo providing a spiritual message to the participants before the start of the swim in the mid-1990's. In 2008, Reverend Miles retired with his wife Donna and moved back to Ontario.
In 2001, due to dwindling membership, the remaining members of UWO Aquatic Masters joined the London Silver Dolphins. The organizers of the St Marys swim, however, maintain the original UWOAM funds for the continued running of the St Marys 5 km Masters swims.
In 1982, the course involved 20 circuits of a 250 m course. In 1983, it was changed to 17 circuits of 300 m, and in 1984 and 1985 the course was 10 laps of 500 m.
In 1986, the swim was established as an Ontario Provincial championship and the course became standardized at
11 circuits. Trophies were established in four categories for swimmers finishing the course: UWO Aquatic Masters
donated the trophy for the overall fastest lady; Manulife Financial donated the trophy for the overall fastest man;
and UWOAM donated two trophies in the name of Ed Thomas for the oldest lady and man completing the course
within the specified time limits (Photo courtesy of John Potocska)..
St Marys quarry and the associated Lind Sportsplex (near Stratford, Ontario, Canada) are located at 429 Water Street (east side) on Perth Road 123 (Old 25) - due south of the town of St Marys and north of Highway 7 - with global coordinates of 43° 14' 56" N and 081° 08' 58" W.
The course now involves eleven counterclockwise circuits of a triangular course - see associated file. Since its inception, the water temperature on the day of the swim has ranged from 20°C and 25°C (68-76°F). The swim is governed by the rules of the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association and no wet-suits are permitted to be worn by the swimmers.
A number of swimmers have made this swim an annual pilgrimage as an excuse to attend a weekend of performances at the theatre in Stratford. The social aspects of the swim are a highlight of this end-of-the-season event.
Created: 1998
Last Updated: 14th September 2008
