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Young Annaleise Carr finished her marathon charity swim across Lake Erie a little early but managed to exceed her fundraising goal by over $100,000.
The 16-year old arrived at Long Point around 4 o’clock Saturday morning instead of her planned destination of Port Dover.
Carr was expecting to stay in the water until 11:30 a.m. but ended her swim after consulting with her coach and other officials.
They estimate the swimmer burned 15,000 calories during the effort. They had to feed every 45 minutes. Since no one on the boat could touch her because it would disqualify the swim, they had to feed food to her with a lacrosse stick.
In all Carr trained for 7 months for the cross-Erie swim. Later she reflected on her challenges.
“There were lots of waves when we were out there and and currents pushing me back. I seem to always get the worst weather when I do these things But it was fun”
In all she swam 42 of the 75 kilometres she had planned.
Her Doctor Mark Ghesquire says the rate that Annaleise was going toward the end would have meant 20 more hours of swimming to make it to Port Dover.
Overall the 22 hours she was in the water was all for a good cause.
Her media rep says the swim raised $130,000 for Camp Trillium and there is still more money to be counted.
“She is the ambassador of Norfolk county in my opinion. She is just an inspiration for all young people that there are things you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.” says Norfolk Deputy Mayor Charlie Luke.
Annaleise’s great grandfather Art Hayward turned 89 Saturday and was there for her arrival.
To have the lake crossing as a birthday present…well who’s gonna have a birthday present like that?”
One thing she says kept her going was seeing her mother and and grandmother out on the lake.
When asked if she plans to swim across all the great lakes Annaleise said she doesn’t know yet and that she’s going to take them one at a time.
But she does plan to go back to Long Point in a few weeks to swim the distance to Port Dover to finish what she started with the marathon outing
