Event Information
The 2025 John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Swims takes place at the beautiful Chris Greene Lake Park, just north of Charlottesville. Swimmers can choose between a 1-mile or 2-mile race, or take on the challenge of doing both. The 1-mile swim consists of two laps of the race course, while the 2-mile swim features four laps of the race course. The course is marked with a swimming pool-style lap lane, making it easy to sight and track your pace accurately.
This event offers a unique opportunity to experience open-water swimming in a pristine setting. Register now to join the fun!
Event Psych Sheet
Get ready to dive into the action! The psych sheet for the John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Swim, will be available immediately before the event. Preview the competition, check out seed times, and see where you stack up against fellow swimmers. Stay informed and start planning your race strategy today!
Cable Swim Race Course
The race course consists of a straightaway cable anchored by 2 pylons measured at precisely 440 yards (0.25 miles). The cable contains buoys to mark the course path. The start and finish of each race will be in the water.
The 1-mile swim consists of 2 laps around the straightaway cable.
The 2-mile race consists of 4 laps around the straightaway cable.
Both the 1- and 2-mile distances are surveyed, certified and qualify for national records. No splits or premature finishes will be eligible for records.
John Shrum Chris Greene
Lake Swims Story
The annual John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Swims stands as one of the longest-running open water swimming events in the United States. Since its inception in 1977, this iconic race has drawn Masters swimmers from around the world to Charlottesville, Virginia, to compete in its challenging 1- and 2-mile cable swims.
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In 1980, the event gained further prominence when Chris Greene Lake became a recurring host site for the U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) Open Water National Championships. This prestigious designation solidified the race’s reputation as a premier competition and a cornerstone of the Virginia Open Water Series. Recognized as one of America's Top 100 Open Water Swims, the event continues to celebrate a legacy of athleticism, camaraderie, and excellence.
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Swimmers of all ages and backgrounds gather each summer to honor the memory of John Shrum, a passionate athlete and community member, while testing their endurance and skill in the beautiful waters of Chris Greene Lake.
Event Results
Stay updated with the latest results from the John Shrum Chris Greene Lake Swims. Check back here for a comprehensive list of times, rankings, and achievements as swimmers showcase their skills.
Whether you’re tracking your personal performance or celebrating the accomplishments of fellow competitors, this is your go-to hub for all race results and highlights. Celebrate the triumphs, relive the excitement, and see how you stack up against the best in the water!
Frequent Questions
I am new to open water swimming, is this race right for me?
This event is ideal for swimmers who are new to open water swimming and looking for a new experience. Lake water conditions are gentle, the distance is not daunting, and the race course is easy to sight during the swim. With the start and finish taking place in the water, there is no "mad dash" at the start and finishes.
Can I warm up before my event?
The lake opens at 7am and warm-up on the cable course will be available 7:00-8:00am. There will also be a warmup area separate from the race course. Warmups will not be permitted during the event for safety reasons.
What safety measures do you have in place?
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad will be on site with boats, scuba divers, and a rescue squad. We will also have additional volunteer lifeguards and manned kayaks in the water to help monitor and assist swimmers as needed. There will also be safety briefings with all participants prior to both swim events. We will also monitor any inclement weather activity that may threaten the safety of the event and cancel as appropriate.
Where does the race start and finish?
Both races will start and finish in the water - this helps reduce chaos, congestion and injuries. Swimmers will wade out into the water to the starting line to start the race. The finish will be located at 2 buoys in the water and swimmers will be guided through a post-finish chute to exit the lake.
Will there be a lot of swimmers starting at the same time?
Each year swimmer registrations fluctuate. The past couple years we have had between 85-125 swimmers compete. Both races will start in waves - 10 swimmers per. wave, staggered at 30-second intervals to reduce congested traffic at the start of the race.
What are the typical water conditions?
The open water swims take place in a man-made lake. Water temperatures for this time of year range between 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. The lake is sheltered with little to no wind and no currents, waves, tides or jellyfish to worry about. Sighting is relatively easy for an open water swim event. Albemarle County Parks and Recreation perform weekly water tests to ensure safe water conditions and levels.
Can I wear a wetsuit for the races?
Since the average water temperature of the lake is 78 degrees or higher, only Category 1 swimwear is allowed (in accordance with article 303.4.2 of USMS Open Water and Long Distance Swimming Rules). As such, this event is NOT wetsuit legal.
Can anyone swim this event?
All swimmers for this event must be USMS registered members and have their memberships active at time of event. Swimmers who are not active USMS members may fill out a One Event Registration form. Swimmers who register through One Event will NOT be eligible for USMS national titles or records.
How can I register for the event?
You can register online on our event registration page - available from the web menu or the register button on home page.
Can I register the morning of event?
You must register online for this event. We will not take any on-site registrations the morning of the event.
What is the cancellation policy?
There are no refunds, transfers or deferrals for cancellations.
What are the age requirements?
Since this is a USMS sanctioned event, all swimmers must be a minimum of 18 years of age by the day of the event. All age groups are determined by your age on 12/31/2025. Age groups will start at 18-24 and then in 5 year increments for both men and women categories.
What happens if I can't meet event time restrictions?
If you fall outside the time limit for either event, you will be stopped mid swim and assisted back to the beach for recovery. Any swimmer unable to complete the event will be listed as "DNF" (did not finish) in the official results.
How can I volunteer to help out with the event?
We are always looking for volunteers to help us run and manage the event. You can signup on the Volunteer for located on our "Contact Us" page of the website. If you would like to volunteer for a position you do not see on the form or would like to help in different way, please reach out to us through the general contact form and we will be happy to wok with you and find ways to help out with the event.
What amenities are available at the lake?
Chris Greene Lake Park features a man-made lake with a pleasant, sandy beach, plenty of parking, and a bath house with running water and bathrooms. We will have a couple of tents setup on the beach for event registration and respite from the sun. There will also be food and beverages available for all event attendees. Since this is on the beach sand bar, we encourage folks to bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, and any other sun shade they prefer. There are sparse shaded areas available and the sun can get intense.