Description

Swim to the Moon is an extraordinary open-water swimming adventure through the picturesque Hiland Chain of Lakes near Hell, Michigan. Choose your distance — .5 Mile, 1.2 Mile, 2.4 Mile, 5K, 10K or 15K — and have the time of your life swimming through Southeast Michigan’s most sublime waterways, all the while showing support for a very worthy cause: North Star Reach, a camp for children with life-threatening, serious, and chronic medical conditions.

The 5K swim starts on the shores of Patterson Lake at North Star Reach; from there, swimmers head south and east through the heavily forested Pinckney Recreation Area, passing through five lakes along the way. Scattered cottages are the only signs of civilization. The 5K will finish once they reach Halfmoon Lake Beach. 

The 10K race participants start at Halfmoon Lake Beach, swim to the start of the 5K (where their “special needs” bags will be available), then turn around to head back to the shores of Halfmoon Lake Beach.

The 15K race participants start on the shores of Patterson Lake at North Star Reach; from there, swimmers head south and east through the Hiland Chain of Lakes to Halfmoon Lake Beach where they will exit the water (where their "special needs" bags will be available), then head back to Patterson Lake Beach at North Star Reach where they will again, exit the water, access their special needs bags (if desired) and turn around to head back to Halfmoon Lake Beach for their finish.

The .5 Mile, 1.2 mile, and 2.4 Mile swims start at Halfmoon Lake Beach. All events finish at the state beach on the east shore of Halfmoon Lake.

If you have a group, consider entering our team division!  High School Coaches/Captains: Please contact info@epicraces.com for a special group discount for your team!

This race is sanctioned by USMS. The USMS $20 one-event fee is built into the price.  If you are an annual member of USMS, $20 will be deducted from your race entry.

 

Time-Trial Swim Start
The race will be a time trial swim start.  What does that mean? This means that swimmers line up on the beach and, at the race starter’s signal, enter the water individually 3 seconds apart. See the race schedule to know when to line up for your race.

Epic Lifeguards
Members of the Epic Lifeguard Team have American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification in addition to basic American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. This means that they have all taken and passed an additional course in which they received training in the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas. Our superbly trained lifeguards are yet another reason our races are so Epic! 

There will be a minimum of 20 volunteer safety boats along the course. You are not required to bring your own, but if you have somebody who wants to paddle along with you, have them register as an official volunteer for the race. They need to bring their own boat and provide neutral support.

Aid Stations
There will be 2 aid stations spaced approximately one mile apart.  There will be aid station supplies on a boat. They will have water, Gu, and Gatorade. 5K will pass them once, 10K will pass them twice, 15K will pass them 3 times.

Cutoff Times & Competitive Rules

This race is sanctioned by U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS). Therefore, all participants must have an annual membership or purchase a one-event membership.

Cutoff times

15K 1st cutoff point, Halfmoon Lake Beach: 2 hours from the start. 2nd cutoff point, North Star Reach: 4 hours from the start
10K 1st cutoff point, North Star Reach: 3 hours from start
5K: 3 hours from the start 
All swimmers in the water at noon will be picked up.

U.S. Masters Swimming competition rules

U.S. Masters Swimming approved skinsuits

Personal Swim Buoys are allowed, but they MUST be a color other than orange and no larger than 20L (25" x 12").  If you are at the start line with an orange personal swim buoy larger than 20L (25" x 12"), you will not be able to use it in the event.

Swimsuits and accessories:  All swimmers must wear one swimsuit in one or two pieces.  All swimsuits shall be made from textile material and not contain clasps or zippers.  For both men and women, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles.  Swimmers are not permitted to wear or use webbed gloves, fins, buoyant armbands, or snorkels.

Audio players/Swim Tempo Trainers: Not allowed.

Wetsuits: Only allowed if you are in the non-competitive wetsuit division.

5K Swimmers:  You will pass through a tunnel.  10Kers will swim through it 2 times, 15Kers 3 times, 5Kers 1 time. You will know when you are there. Expect oncoming swimmers.  There will be a lane line down the middle.  Always stay to the right, no passing!  A 5-minute penalty will be given to anybody who passes or attempts to pass in the tunnel or when entering or exiting.

15K Swim Information

Packet pickup will not be available race morning.  See important packet pickup information.

All 15K swimmers have 6 hours to complete the course.  

Cutoff points:
5K at Halfmoon Lake Beach - 2 hours
10K at North Star Reach - 4 hours

Gear Check
You will be given a clear drawstring bag to check your gear at the start line. It will be available to pick up by the finish line. You must use the provided bags, no personal bags will be accepted.

Special Needs Bags
You will be given 2 clear drawstring bags. Please put anything special that you may need in these bags. This can range from Advil to fresh swim goggles to a slice of pizza or whatever you may want at the 5K and 10K turnaround points.  You will leave one bag at Halfmoon Lake Beach and bring the other with you to North Star Reach. Both locations will have receptacles to drop them and they will be available for you if you want them at the turnaround points. You must use the provided bags, no personal bags will be accepted.

10K Swim Information

All 10K swimmers have 5 hours to complete the course.  

Cutoff point:
5K at North Star Reach - 3 hours

Gear Check
You will be given a clear drawstring bag to check your gear at the start line. It will be available to pick up by the finish line. You must use the provided bags, no personal bags will be accepted.

Special Needs Bag
You will be given a second clear drawstring bag. Please put anything special that you may need in this bag. This can range from Advil to fresh swim goggles to a slice of pizza or whatever you may want at the 5K turnaround point.  You will drop the bag in the designated receptacle at Halfmoon Lake Beach and it will be transported to North Star Reach where it will be available to you at the turnaround if you want it. You must use the provided bag, no personal bags will be accepted.