World Marathon Swimming Records In Lake Tahoe

Unless there is an established and recognized governing body - like the British Long Distance Swimming Association for races in Lake Windermere - it is often difficult to confirm and agree upon where cross-lake marathon swims should start and finish.  

Even at the world-famous professional races in lac St-Jean in Roberval, Quebec, Canada, the exact distance and course has been slightly changed over the 50-year history of the race.

Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, high-altitude lake sitting between the states of Nevada and California, is no different.  

However, through the meticulous research efforts of a handful of dedicated volunteers, swimmers and observers, a list of records in Lake Tahoe have been added to the open water swimming world records can be established.  Among the many marathon swimmers in Lake Tahoe, these record holders have distinguished themselves:

1. First Crossing Male and First North – South Crossing: Fred Rogers (USA), age 29, 21 July 1955, 19:06 for 19.96 miles from Kings Beach to Bijou

2. Youngest Crossing Male: Fred Rogers (USA), age 29, 21 July 1955, 19:06 for 19.96 miles from Kings Beach to Bijou (North - South)

3. Fastest Overall Crossing:  Dave Kenyon (USA), age 35, 12 September 1987, 9:20 for 20.81 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

4. First Male South – North Crossing:  Dave Kenyon (USA), 12 September 1987, 9:20 for 20.81 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

5. First Crossing Female: Mrytle Huddleston (USA), age 34, 23 August 1931, 22:58 for 10.48 miles from Deadman's Point to Tahoe City (East - West) 

6. Fastest Crossing Female: Catheryne Diprete (USA), age 44, 30 September 2007, 10:14 for 21.091 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

7. Oldest Crossing Female: Catheryne Diprete (USA), age 44, 30 September 2007, 10:14 for 21.091 miles from Tahoe Keys to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

8. Youngest Crossing Female: Lenore Modell (USA), age 13, 6 October 1963, 13:34 for 20.49 miles from Tahoe Keys to Kings Beach (South - North) 

9. First Longest Distance Crossing Female: Karen Rogers (USA), age 42, 12 August 2009, 10:50 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

10. Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Female: Patti Bauernfeind (USA), age 42, 28 August 2009, 10:39:38 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North) 

11. Oldest Crossing Male Kevin Murphy (Great Britain), age 54, 24 July 2003, 13:56 for 20.67 miles from Pope Beach to Kings Beach (South - North):

12. Oldest Crossing Male: Tom Linthicum (USA), age 51, 16 August 2009, 17+ hours for 22.1 miles from Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada to Camp Richardson, California (North - South)

13. First Longest Distance Crossing Male: Ken Harmon (USA), age 45, 22 August 2005, 11:19 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North) 
14. Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Male: Ken Harmon (USA) 45, 22 August 2005, 11:19 minutes for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (South - North)

15. Fastest Longest Distance Crossing Male (North - South): Clark Bird (USA), age 39, 22 August 2010, 13:23 for 22.1 miles from Camp Richardson, California to Hyatt Beach in Incline Village, Nevada (North - South)

Research is courtesy of Ken Harmon, Dean Moser, the  Tahoe Daily Tribune, the Sierra Sun, the Tahoe Breeze, the Tahoe World, and observers including Emma Gerrard , Jeremy Evans, Philip Earl and the local Coast Guard.

Photos above show Patti Bauernfeind and Ken Harmon.

Copyright © 2010 by Open Water Source