Ready to go long this fall and compete with fellow Masters swimmers virtually? This is the perfect event for you! Swimmers are famously goal oriented. Commit to the challenge, train hard, and get ready for a great event.

We are revamping the ePostal National Championships. A notable change is that swimmers now need to register prior to swimming. You are also encouraged to register early since the price increases Sept. 1. You have the option to register for the 3000- or 6000-yard events. Or both!

Your swim(s) can be completed anytime between Sept. 15 – Nov. 15. After your swim(s), you will need to submit your results including your splits. See below for instructions.

For a warmup, check out the 2021 Swim.com USMS Fall Fitness Challenge. It is a fun 1-mile swim to be completed between Oct. 1-15. 

GOOD LUCK and swim fast!

Event Details

Hosted by: Loveland Masters Swimming

Dates: Sept. 15 – Nov. 15, 2021

*All events must be swum in their entirety on or between these dates.

Objective: Swim 3000 or 6000 continuous yards or meters. Individuals may enter both events.

Location: Any 25-yard or 25-meter pool

  • Yards pool swimmers: submit your splits and final times in yards.
  • Meters pool swimmers must swim 3000 or 6000 meters and submit your final times and splits in meters. The results system automatically converts meter times to yard times integrating them with the 25-yard final results.

Eligibility

  • US swimmers must be 2021 U.S. Masters Swimming registered members to register prior to their swim.
  • All entries must be submitted electronically.
  • Foreign swimmers must be a member of an equivalent FINA member organization on or before the day of their swim. Foreign entrants must submit a copy of their organization’s 2021 registration card to events@usmastersswimming.org by Nov. 15. Foreign swimmers are not eligible for USMS records or All-American status.

Timeline

  • All participants must register prior to swimming the event and complete swim(s) between Sept. 15 and Nov. 15
  • Individual entries close Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific 
  • Individual results must be submitted by Nov. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific (see below for instructions). Split sheets for potential national records must be emailed to events@usmastersswimming.org
  • Relay entries open Nov. 22 and close Nov. 24 11:59 p.m. Pacific
  • Individuals: preliminary results will be available for a one week review by Nov. 22 and final results will be posted by Dec. 1
  • Relays and clubs: preliminary results will be available for a one week review by Dec. 1 and final results will be posted by Dec. 10

Fees

  • Individual Events
    • August 1-31: $10 each
    • September 1 – November 15: $12 each
  • Relay Events: $16 each

Fees are non-refundable. Foreign swimmers will be charged an additional $5 per event/relay. Fees must be paid by credit card and will be processed by "U.S. Masters Swimming".

Individual Results 

After you've registered and swum the event(s) (between Sept. 15 - Nov. 15), you'll need to submit individual results by Nov. 17. Here is the process:

  • First, find yourself on the Athlete Roster
  • Click on your name and confirm your identity with USMS member verification 
  • Provide the following:
    • Splits from your swim(s)
    • Date of your swim(s)
    • Pool name and location
    • Name of your timer
    • Contact info for your timer

Men and women compete separately in five-year age groups: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34,...., 100+. The swimmer's age on December 31, 2021 determines the age group, therefore each swimmer may only swim in one age group for the 2021 USMS 3000/6000-yard ePostal National Championships.

You will be asked to enter only 300-yard or meter splits for the 3000-yard ePostal and 600-yard or meter splits for the 6000-yard ePostal. Submission of a split sheet is not required unless the swimmer has broken an individual national record. However, split sheets may be requested for verification. If a requested split sheet is not provided, the individual entry and associated relay entries may be disqualified.

All results will be available on this page after the event. Preliminary individual results will be available for a one week review Nov. 22. All corrections must be sent to events@usmastersswimming.org by Nov. 29. Final individual results will be posted by Dec. 1. If two or more swimmers report the same time, a tie will be declared.

Relay Events

  • Relay events will be contested in three categories: three men, three women, four mixed (two men, two women).
  • Each relay member must have entered the individual event and be registered with the same USMS club.
  • Participants shall be allowed to swim in only one same-gender and one mixed-gender relay for each event—a total of two relays for one person.
  • The youngest relay member’s age shall determine the relay’s age group. Age groups are 18+, 25+, 35+, . . . , 95+.
  • The cumulative time for the individual swims is the relay time.
  • Unattached swimmers may not be a relay team member.
  • Relay entries will be open Nov. 22-24, and will show all the individual entries submitted. You will only be able to view your USMS club’s entries.
  • Preliminary relay results will be available for a one week review by Dec. 1. All corrections must be sent to events@usmastersswimming.org by Dec. 8. Final relay results will be posted by Dec. 10.

Club Event

Each club is entered automatically in the club event. Club scores are calculated on the basis of quality points, which are the ratios of each individual’s time to the corresponding USMS record for the gender and age group. The faster the swim, the more quality points a swimmer earns. A club’s point total equals the sum of the quality points of each of its swimmers. Because every swimmer receives quality points, every swimmer counts. Club results will be posted by Dec. 10. 

Merchandise

A wide selection of event merchandise items are available on SwimOutlet.com. Shop the store now!

Awards

  • Individual Medals: The top six finishers in each age group have the option of receiving USMS championship medals.
  • Relay Medals: The top three relay teams in each relay age group have the option of receiving USMS championship medals.
  • Championship Patch: First place finishers in each individual and relay age group also will have the option of receiving a USMS Long Distance National Championship patch. Only one patch per event per participant will be awarded.
  • Club awards will be recognized in the final results, physical awards will not be provided.

Records

Completed split sheets for individuals who think they have broken a national record must be received by Nov. 17. Scan and email to events@usmastersswimming.org. 

Rules

  • The 2021 USMS rules govern these events, including rules regarding swimwear.
  • Drafting, flotation, and propulsive devices, including but not limited to pull buoys, fins, paddles, snorkels, and wet suits, are not permitted.
  • No more than two swimmers may share a lane. If a lane is shared, each swimmer must stay on his or her side of the lane during the entire event (that is, no circle swimming).
  • An adult acting as a starter, head timer, or referee shall be present at all times during the swim.
  • Each swimmer must have a verifier to count laps and record cumulative splits every 50 yards or 50 meters.
  • The event may be timed with either a stopwatch or an electronic timing device. One person may serve as a counter for a maximum of two swimmers at a time.A 3000-yard split in the 6000-yard ePostal event may be submitted for a record if requested in writing by the swimmer and if at least two dedicated handheld watches were used to record the split. A 3000-yard split in the 6000 yard event will not be accepted as an entry for the 3000 yard event; the events must be swum separately.
  • Splits: Record cumulative split times to the nearest second (final times for national records to the nearest 100th) on the official event split sheet.
  • Any split or final time submitted without tenths or hundredths will default to .99 second. Any split or final time submitted without tenths or hundredths will default to .99 second. Any split or final time submitted with tenths (.x) will default to .x9 second.
  • No adjustment will be made for swims completed at high elevation.
  • Unsporting Conduct: Any act of fraud, deception, or dishonesty in connection with this event or knowingly providing false information including name, date of birth, age or gender in this event entry form may result in disciplinary action by USMS.

Questions?

Contact events@usmasterssswimming.org with any questions.