A beautiful day met the near 250 competitors in this years Mornington Grand Swim Challenge held at Mothers Beach, Mornington. From 9am, participants started rolling up to register and collect their race packs and also on-the-day competitors also started to arrive.
This year, the event was boosted by the participation of 43 senior players, coaches and staff of the AFL team, St Kilda. Greg Hutchinson, the Football Manager of St Kilda contacted MPTC about participating as they were looking for events for the players as part of their 2012 pre-season activities. They were looking for an activity that would stretch the players and push them past their usual comfort zone, this was certainly achieved. It also assisted the Saints with their new approach to getting back in touch with the local community. After the swim, all of the players made themselves freely available to sign autographs for Saints fans along with plenty of Saints giveaways. The Saints have already committed to participating in next years race, so make sure you come on down.
In the main event, the 1.2km Swim, the participants were met with a flat calm sea, Jamie Rhodes from our event Sponsor Harcourts of Mornington was victorious swimming the distance in 15:05 narrowly winning by 4 seconds over 2nd place getter, Lachlan Pearse. 
Swim participants start to arrive to register for the event. Brad Peake of the Saints who was first player home. (Photo - StKilda FC)
Saints players about hit the water and Stephen Milne ready to go (Photos St Kilda FC)
Saints player Brad Peake was first home in a respectable 19 mins. Saints players signed autographs for their young fans (Photo - StKilda FC)
Open age group winner, Jamie Rhodes accepting his winners cheque.
More photos and reports will be added in the coming days.
2011 Results 2011 Photo Slideshow 2010 Results 2010 Photo slideshow
