Thursday, September 06, 2007

Man Swims Around Manhattan Three Times, Wins Record

Skip Storch isn't crazy, although you might think he is considering the feat he accomplished Thursday. Storch, a 50 year-old marathon swimmer, swam around Manhattan three times, finishing the journey in a record 32 hours, 52 minutes, 30 seconds. Why would anyone want to jump into the waters around Manhattan? For Storch, he record-breaking swim was to bring awareness to sarcoidosis. The N.I.H. describes sarcoidosis as "an inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells in various organs in your body," with the lumps that develop affecting organ function, typically the lungs and lymph nodes.

Storch, who developed sarcoidosis after 9/11, like many New Yorkers, was swimming to raise money for Mount Sinai Hospital's sarcoidosis program. Swimming 85.5 miles over a day and a half isn't all fun and games. Storch swam unassisted (he couldn't be touched by anyone else) and has since checked into a hospital where he's being treated for muscle tears, abrasions, and hypothermia. We suppose it could have been worse?

By taking advantage of favorable currents, Storch beat the old record by 37 minutes, 30 seconds. He also set a record time for two trips around Manhattan, completing that in 20 hours, 56 minutes and 17 seconds.
Source:- Gothamist

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