Rain postpones Crystal Lake swim race

About 165 swimmers were disappointed Saturday morning when the annual Open Water Swim Races in Crystal Lake were postponed due to inclement weather.

The 1-mile and 2-mile races were rescheduled for Sunday morning at Main Beach on Crystal Lake, which was hit by a heavy downpour about five minutes after Crystal Lake Park District Recreation Supervisor Joe Davison announced the event's rescheduling.

Organizers had hoped to wait out the bad weather by delaying the start time but decided to call it a day when thunder roared in the skies shortly before 8 a.m. This was the first time in his eight years as race director that the event was rescheduled, Davison said.

“I'm really disappointed. I got up at 5 a.m. today and I was going to sleep in tomorrow!” said Gus Robledo, who drove all the way from Waukesha, Wis., for what would have been his first swim race. Robledo said he'd come back Sunday.

The races are now scheduled for Sunday, July 15, at the beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive in Crystal Lake. The 1-mile race starts at 7:30 a.m., the 2-mile race at 7:40 a.m.

Swimmers who can't make the Sunday start time can ask for a full refund, Davison said. He can be reached at (815) 459-0680, ext. 228, for more information.