More than 350 swimmers compete in open-water Florida Keys race

ISLAMORADA, Fla. ā€“ More than 350 participants from around the world competed in the Swim for Alligator LighthouseĀ Saturday.

The competition was an 8-mile, open-water challenge in which theĀ athletes swam to Alligator Reef Lighthouse off Islamorada, rounded the beacon and came back to the starting point atĀ AmaraĀ Cay Resort.

According to the Keys news bureau, Miami resident YoelvisĀ Pedraza, 31, was the top individual swimmer, with a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes and 36 seconds.

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The top female finisher,Ā Chelsea Nauta, 29, of Tampa, completed the race in 3 hours, 4 minutesĀ and 21Ā seconds.

In the two-person relay, the fastest competitors were Tampa residents Pam Owens and Connor SignorinĀ with a time of 3 hours, 28 minutesĀ and 57 seconds.

In the four-person mixed relay division, Punta GordaĀ residents Danielle Chance and Melissa VarlasĀ teamed up with Sarasota residentsĀ Laura Hamel and Rick Walker. TheyĀ won first place with a time of 3 hours, 33 minutes and 46 seconds.Ā 

The annual event takes place to raise awareness of preserving the 145-year-old Alligator Reef Lighthouse and five other aging lighthouses off the Florida Keys.Ā It also raises college scholarship funds for Keys students interested in competitive swimming.


About the Author

Annabelle Caceres is a valued intern at Local 10 News.

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