By The Canadian Press

Triathlete strokes toward goal as marathon Okanagan Lake swim passes 70 km mark

Jul 26, 2016 | 10:32 AM

VERNON, B.C. — A potentially record-breaking swim is churning along in the waters of British Columbia’s Okanagan Lake as an endurance swimmer from the United States got closer to his goal.

Support crews for 39-year-old triathlete Adam Ellenstein say he had completed 72 kilometres of his planned 105-kilometre swim from Okanagan Landing south to Penticton by Tuesday morning.

Ellenstein began the marathon just before 6 a.m. Monday and remained on track to complete the crossing in less than 40 hours.

The swimmer from Detroit hopes to claim the Guinness World Record for the fastest, non-stop, lengthwise swim of the lake.

In a Facebook post, Ellenstein’s team say he passed Rattlesnake Island, on the east side of Okanagan Lake, at 8 a.m.

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He has dedicated the swim to increasing awareness of Parkinson’s disease, because his aunt was recently diagnosed with the illness.

“Adam requested a bacon-and-egg sandwich overnight, as well as fresh pancakes,” says Ellenstein’s crew via regular social media updates.

A crew of 20 is accompanying the swimmer and providing him with food and support during the attempt.

The Canadian Press