What is Swim to the Moon? It’s an extraordinary open-water swimming
adventure through the picturesque Hiland Chain of Lakes near Hell,
Michigan. Participants choose their distance — half mile, 1.2 mile, 5K, or 10K —
and have the time of their lives swimming through Southeast Michigan’s
most sublime waterways, all the while showing support for a very worthy
cause: NorthStar Reach, a camp for children with
life-threatening illnesses.
The 5K swim begins at the grounds of the old Michigan Fresh Air Camp on the west shore of Patterson Lake, which, in 2015,
will open as NorthStar Reach’s summer camp. 5K 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. 10K
race participants, however, start at Halfmoon Lake Beach, swim to the start of
the 5K (where “special needs” bags will be available), then turn around head
back to the shores of Halfmoon Lake Beach. Both the half-mile and the 1.2-mile
swim start at Halfmoon Lake Beach. All races finish at the state beach on the
east shore of Halfmoon Lake.
Please note that Swim to the Moon is a race for individual
athletes. If you have a group, consider entering our team
division!
