Dwight Crum Hermosa to Manhattan Pier to Pier Swim (8/4/02)


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As usual, I mooched a ride down to our backyard Dwight Crum Pier to Pier Swim with handsome men Tracy and Grant. I did introduce them to a little-known 6 hour parking lot though, and I actually paid for parking. So there, enough making fun. The sky was a little overcast but I encouraged our two heroes, though I did kindly decline their invitation to run down to the start (and then run back no doubt) it must be said. Instead I settled down to a pleasant conversation with Randy E., who was slated to paddle for Gerry R. Randy took off as the race start approached, so I dove into the Sunday LA Times. I took a slight detour over to see the six-man volleyball tournament. RANDite Shannon and I agreed that the team in the white speedos with multi-colored waterpolo caps had somehow gotten the sport wrong but the scenery was nice nonetheless. I made my way back to the start, watched Craig H. warm up his microphone and camera, and waited with a large crowd in breathless anticipation.

In no time flat, Alex K. powered in for first, closely followed by Gerry R. and our own Dawn Heckman - Superwoman indeed! I didn't catch the 4th place finisher but close on his heels was Diane G-G, followed by Todd M. The very fast Lyle dove in for 10th, followed by Bart at 16th, later to be congratulated by his better half Nancy. Grant, who fearlessly overcame being knocked down at the start, was the next SCAQer/honorary SCAQer to finish, and sped in at 17th. He looked very handsome afterwards, thank goodness none the worse for wear. Our hero Tracy rounded out the top 20! Bill Darby was just behind, and the impressive Jenny Cook came in at 3rd woman overall, 1st in her agegroup at 22nd.

Rick Phillips was next over the line, followed by Jake from LMU, who not only did the pier-to-pier but also the paddlerace beforehand. Wow. He allowed that he was slightly tired, though all smiles with his lovely wife Jackie after the race. I would point out that he is a graduate of the Morton lane, and even deigns to wave over at me (it's quite a distance between the two of us now) through the morning darkness now and then. Another LMU friend Chris was the next awesome SCAQer to arrive to wild cheers from the crowd.

The ever-smiling and cheerful Kathy Mann was totally amazing, 4th woman I think and 2nd in her agegroup. Just behind was Christie. Pat powered home, followed by Steve J. The latter had wisely declined a challenge (with a real monetary stake attached it must be said) prior to the race in the usual macho yet friendly display of competition from MSR regulars. Jenny C. from the North was also sighted running up the beach. Other oceanswimming buddies included Chris, with twin brother, Al (who thank goodness helped maintain the standards of the Handsome Men in Speedos Photo Series for 2002!), Auggie, and LMU-er Ana who was congratulated by her friend Mariano after the race. As usual, people milled about after the race in the bright sunshine and SCAQers were stars!

In early news back from the La Jolla Tour of the Buoys, the USMS 5 mile National Championships, our own Craig Nadel was the overall winner, Chris Y. was in 6th overall, and Bill Ireland sped home to 11th overall, 2nd in his agegroup (full report to follow soon). In triathlon news, John J. qualified for the Hawaii Ironman with a first-place agegroup finish at the Vineman Half-Ironman. Congrats to all.

As usual, all race results reported here are unofficial. I encourage you to go to the Pier to Pier page for official results. Next week is the Santa Monica Breakwater Swim hosted by our believed team. Please see the Race Dates page for more info. And finally, in less than three weeks and counting, the MSR will take a brief hiatus in about the third week in August due to the arrival of a new oceanswimming buddy. The SCAQ oceanswim page will have reports for those of you in MSR withdrawal!