Boston: Five swimmers test a 20-mile prototype for a new marathon swim event.

Five swimmers got together and "beta tested" a pretty formidable swim. The Boston Globe reports it would be a 20-mile swim but no specific race map was published.

From the Boston Globe:

"Connor started last at 3:50 a.m. and made it to Provincetown in 10 hours and 22 minutes."

"... It was nice, I was enjoying myself,” he said, adding that the first hour was the hardest of the entire swim. “I’d say, ‘I don’t think I can, I want to quit.’ It happens all the time. I just have to push through the first hour...."

Before yesterday’s triumphant swim, many had attempted the same route, but only one had succeeded battling the Cape Cod current. Russell Chaffee of Sayre, Pa., was 41 when he completed the swim in 14 hours and 40 minutes in 1968.

The swimmers followed the rules set up for those who want to swim the English Channel: They were allowed to wear a swimsuit, cap, and goggles, but could not have any assistance during the swim other than an escort boat. Swimmers were given food at regular intervals, and were not allowed to touch the boat or crew during the swim. ..."

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