The Motor City Mile is an annual open water swim and charity event hosted by Different Strokes Swim Shop. It continues to be one of the largest open water swim events in the Midwest. In Michigan, there are very few ways for swimmers to give back to the community while showcasing their swimmer identity. The idea behind the Motor City Mile was to provide swimmers the opportunity to give back while having fun doing what they love! The 2017 Motor City Mile will be benefited the ALS Association.
The Race is a 1/2 mile, 1 mile or 5K swim. There is a course set up by buoys in the Detroit River for the events. Belle Isle Beach serves as a start and finish for all races. As safety is our main concern, there will be boats, kayaks and lifeguards patrolling throughout the course to ensure every participants safety.
Rowdy Gaines is a 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Also known as the voice of American swimming, Rowdy’s swim clinic at the Detroit Yacht Club was an inspirational and educational experience for swimmers of all ages.One of the greatest swimmers of our time! Rowdy spent many years on top of the swimming world as a World and American record holder and Two time Olympian.
Rowdy won the 1980 and 1981 NCAA Championship in the 100m, Freestyle and 200m Freestyle swimming for Auburn University. After his Olympic career, Rowdy has competed in Masters swimming and continues to break records, win medals and compete on an international stage. The voice of American swimming, Rowdy will be commentating at his eighth Olympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo with NBC. He is one of the top ambassadors for the sport of swimming through his work with the YMCA and serving as a spokesperson for the USA Swimming Foundation. Rowdy was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2005 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995.
