State to State Splash: Swimmer Slices Through 17-Mile Course

Just a year ago, Susan Kirk of Long Valley, along with three other swimmers, completed a feat of incredible proportion. 

They swam as a team around the island of Manhattan – 28.5 miles in all – during a day-long adventure.

In the time since, Kirk suffered a devastating lower-leg injury that sidelined her from hitting the waters for more than two months. But a broken bone couldn’t break her spirit and determination.

Just before the injury, however, Kirk signed up for the 2013 Ederle Swim – a 17.5-mile nautical jaunt from lower Manhattan to Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

With eight months of interrupted training to mentally and physically prepare, Kirk got to work and set a goal to finish the course in under six hours.

Five hours, 52-minutes and 44 seconds after her first stroke, Kirk landed in Sandy Hook, accomplishing her goal.

“Overcoming that obstacle (broken leg) and still training and competing in events with a fractured fibula has enlightened me how much determination and commitment I have to achieving a personal goal,” Kirk said Monday.

Kirk, along with 20 other swimmers and a crew, paddler and boat captain made the state-to-state swim in the event despite unfavorable conditions Sunday.

Kirk said she’ll continue her distance swimming as the year continues.