Contributed by Gary Girolimon, Race Director
GOFFSTOWN, NH — The Glen Lake Swim, Episode 2: Glennie Rises, held on August 11th, attracted swimmers from throughout New England and beyond. The U.S. Masters Swimming-sanctioned competition featured a one-mile and a two-mile race. The weather could not have been more perfect, with 80 degree air temperatures and 74 degree waters.
The first of three swim waves heads out from the start.
Glennie, the friendly lake monster, is the mascot of the event. Glennie and similar lake monsters such as Champ of Lake Champlain, Memphre of Lake Memphremagog and Winni of Lake Winnipesaukee, are part of Native American folklore, so it was fitting that Chief Paul W. Pouliot of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People made an offering to the aquatic life before the race start.
All swimmers took home a "Piece of the Beast," a Glennie tooth finisher medal. Many swimmers reported seeing Glennie on the waters, but the creature kept its distance and did not interfere with the race. There were abundant awards and raffles, separate scoring divisions for wetsuited and “skins” athletes, and a very unique Jurassic Park Glennie t-shirt for all participants.
After the swim a mini-expo was held at the site featuring local artists, salsa dancing and Glennie-themed kids' activities such as coloring and face painting. After the awards ceremony, the celebration moved to the Harpoon Brewery-sponsored party at Village Trestle in Goffstown.
The event is organized under the umbrella of the Granite State Health and Fitness Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and all profits from the event will be used to to promote aquatic safety, to enhance health and wellness, and to promote area recreational opportunities.
AWARDS
One Mile - Skins
TOP 3 FEMALE
Aileen O'Connell 30:11
Rachel Modlinsky 30:16
Alexis Dwyer 31:58
TOP 3 MALE
Parker Wheat 26:06
Michael Giraldi 26:59
Abhinav Sridhar 27:41
One Mile - Wetsuit
TOP 3 FEMALE
Kelley O'hara 39:10
Andrea Bonito 39:12
Kristine Decourcey 39:13
TOP 3 MALE
Patrick McDeed 27:12
Matthew Stundtner 31:13
Timothy Collard 32:36
Two Mile - Skins
TOP 3 FEMALE
Katharine Radville 55:57
Madison Guay 58:10
Abby Brethauer 58:54
TOP 3 MALE
Frans Lawaetz 58:00
Sean Carter 58:38
Gil Rosenberg 1:04:30
Two Mile - Wetsuit
TOP 3 FEMALE
Jocelyn Nokes 55:14
Molly Zahr 58:40
Linda Watts 59:20
TOP 3 MALE
Stuart Cromarty 49:04
Nic Ohman 50:29
Adam Langmaid 55:44