The fitness event "Go the Distance" (GTD) is once again being offered by the U.S. Masters Swimming Fitness Committee in 2009! Please read the event announcement (PDF file) for complete details.  

The objective of this event is for participants to track the time and distance they swim during the calendar year.   When participants achieve specific distance milestones ranging from 50 miles through 1500 miles they will be recognized on the U.S. Masters Swimming website and awards will be available for purchase for a minimal fee. 

There is no cost to enter this event.  New participants are required to use the NEW FLOG feature of the "My USMS" section of the website for recording their distances.  You will find FLOGS can be used to track all of your Fitness activities. Current participants are asked to begin using the FLOG to record their data for the month of June 2009. Beginning with the June 2009 results, monthly data will be extracted from the FLOG. All data prior to June 2009 has been preloaded into a FLOG for each participant. The preloaded data is a summary in miles for each month that the swimmer has participated in this event. Going forward, beginning with July 2009, monthly reporting will only be provided on data that has been entered using the FLOG.

A list of miles per month, cumulative mileage and time spent will be tabulated for each swimmer using data input to the FLOG.  Once a distance milestone is achieved awards will be available for purchase.  The awards include swim caps, certificates and patches with the logo and distance of milestone achieved.  GTD fun and fashionable apparel and goodies with the event logo are available to all participants.  Please see the order form (PDF file) for details.

New! For GTD 2009 we are introducing a scenic way to "Go the Distance". This year a new GTD milestone will be a Virtual Swim to Key West (200 miles). This swim can be done solo or with a team of up to 4 participants. GTD Distance milestone awards are available specifically for this virtual swim.

Each month the results will be updated in this area of the website.  There will be lists to recognize all those that have achieved each distance milestone.  Participants will also be able to look up their current total as well as view their progress toward the next distance milestone.  In addition there will be graphs illustrating the participation for each zone, LMSC, age groups and GTD workout groups.  

This event was designed to encourage folks to track the time and distance they swim in order to review their progress and to be recognized for their achievements.  There is no time limit for the distance milestones (except that it must be in 2009) so speed does not count – just the effort to attain the next goal.  We wish to recognize participation and achievement of goals with this event.

Swimmer Resources

Entry form and procedures (PDF)
Mileage tracking log (Excel): basic version (202 KB) | advanced version (1.75 MB)
Tracking log help file (PDF)
Awards form (PDF)
Virtual Swim to Key West description (PDF)
Virtual Swim to Key West tracking log (Excel)

Event Results

2009: monthly results | awards form (PDF)
2008: monthly results | awards form (PDF)
2007: monthly results | awards form (PDF)

For more information, please contact Mary Sweat at usmsgtd@yahoo.com