Islamorada’s Open-Water Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Set for Sept. 14

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — As many as 460 solo and relay-team open-ocean swimmers will attempt to conquer the annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Saturday, Sept. 14, a unique endurance challenge in Atlantic Ocean waters off Islamorada.

Individuals and two-, three- and four-person teams must complete the 8-mile roundtrip course in less than eight hours. To compete as an individual, a participant must show proof of completing a prior 1,650-meter or 1-mile swim in 35 minutes or less.

Officially sanctioned by the World Open Water Swimming Association, the event features an in-water start and beach finish at the host hotel, Amara Cay Resort at mile marker 80.5 oceanside.

First- through fifth-place solo and relay-team finishers are to win awards in male, female and mixed divisions. All successful participants receive a finisher medal and souvenir towel.

Early-bird check-in and packet pickup is set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Amara Cay. A meet-up social is planned for 6-9 p.m. at Florida Keys Brewing Co. at 200 Morada Way.

Participants also can check in Friday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Amara Cay.

Saturday, wave starts for swimmers are to begin by 7:45 a.m. All swimmers must exit the water by 3:30 p.m. An awards ceremony with dinner begins at 6 p.m. at Amara Cay.

Entry fee is $210 for solo swimmers and individuals must provide their safety-kayaker information to race officials by July 15. Fees are $190 per person for a two-person team, $170 per person for a three-person team and $150 per swimmer on four-person relay teams. Online registration is available, and the field is to be capped at 460 swimmers, according to race officials.

Event information and registration: swimalligatorlight.com

Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS