Save the date! – Sunday, August 29, 2027
I plan to host a 5K open water swimming race in Canyon Ferry Lake (near Helena, Montana) on Sunday August 29th, 2027. My original plan was for swimmers to start on a beach near Shannon Boat Launch, swim out around Cemetery Island, and then back to the finish line at the beach (as shown on the photo above). However, I am going to have to go with Plan B (see update below). The race will start at 7 am and will include a 1-mile race as well. -Rod Benson (Bigskywalker.com)
Good news, bad news.
Bad news – The Bureau of Reclamation is not okay with starting/finishing the race near the Shannon Boat Launch. Good news – They are okay with starting/finishing along a beach at Cave Bay. Click here to see a map I’ve prepared, showing possible race routes (5K is yellow, 1-mile route is green).
Click here to see a photo album that shows my tentative plan for the route.
It will be a Helena day!
The event, which will take place 20 miles northeast of beautiful Helena, Montana, will be a fund-raiser for Aspen Adult Services, a wonderful orgnization that provides enriching services to disabled Montanans. Money left over after the bills are paid will be distrbuted this way: 80% to Aspen, 20% to be kept for next year’s race.
A unique setting.
Cemetery Island was once home to a 19th-century hill-top cemetery for a town called Canton. The hill now stands as an island in Canyon Ferry Lake, and Canton was submerged as the reservoir filled following completion of the Canyon Ferry Dam in the the 1950s. The dam, which is shown in the photo above, is 50 miles north of the headwaters of the Missouri. It’s a 20-mile drive from the State Capitol Building in Helena to the Shannon Boat Launch.
*The “to do” list.
permission/permit (Bureau of Reclamation, $100), registration (RunSignup.com, includes waiver), registration fee ($45), participaton limit (100 swimmers), 3-4 timers, bullhorn, event liability insurance, rent porta potties, 3-5 parking volunteers, shuttle bus and driver, motor boat and driver, swim caps, T-shirts, logo, awards, set-up (course/buoys, start/finish line), 10-20 volunteers in kayaks, 3 larger sighting buoys and 2 smaller ones (borrow?), search and rescue presence, sponsors, packet pickup (at museum near Capitol?), publicity, post-race refreshments, etc.
Interested in helping?
If you’re interested in learning more about the race, volunteering on race day, contributing any of the items needed, or if you have expertise to share, please CLICK HERE to contact me. I hope to host a meeting sometime this fall at the Capital City Health Club (party room), which will be announced on the Facebook page (see link below). If you aren’t on FB, contact me – I will let you know when and where the meeting is.
- My first blog post about open water swimming.
Photo tour includes several photos of Cemetery Island. - Cemetery Island Facebook Page
Follow it for updates.
