Race Day: August 10, 2024
We’ll Have More Information Regarding Registration Soon
Event Sold Out in 2023 – Registration will open June 5, 2024 at 9:00 am at ClubAssistant
Entries are limited to 450.
The registration fee is $85, nonrefundable. The event sold out last year so enter early.
A link to ClubAssistant will be activated on the Event Entry page a few days before registration day.
Review Recent Email Messages
from the DLS Swim Committee
What you get for your entry fee
(1) Entry on Club Assistant, (2) permits for start/Donner Memorial State Park, (3)reserved picnic area and entry fee to West End Beach, (4) shuttle that runs to and from the start during the duration of the event, (5) coordination of safety watercraft, (5) ambulance on site for event, (6) police boat on the water, (7) hospitality at the finish, and (8) chip timing!
Date for 2024 Pending
Check Back in Early 2024
Countdown to Race Day
2024 DLS Date: August 10
Entries Opened on June 1, 2023 at 8:30 am PDT
We reached our 450 entries limit in 4 hours` and there were no race day entries!
LOCATION: Donner Lake, Truckee, CA. Located 35 miles west of Reno, NV and 100 miles east of Sacramento, CA. via Interstate 80. The start is at the east end of the lake by Donner Memorial State Park; the finish is at West End Beach. The course is a straight, point-to-point, 2.7 miles. Expect water temperature 65 – 68 degrees. Altitude is 5933 ft.
WARNING: Participants should be adequately trained for this competition, which combines high altitude, cool water temperatures, and a lengthy swim. Previous experience in similar conditions is highly recommended.
COVID: The Donner Lake Swim will be following local and state COVID guidelines. Swimmers must follow these guidelines in order to participate in the swim. United States Masters Swimming encourages all swimmers receive the COVID vaccine.
History of the Donner Lake Swim
The first Donner Lake swim was held in 1980, over 40 years ago! There were 72 participants and the race was won by Wendy Pratt of the Davis Aquatic Masters when she was 20. Her time was 58:46.34, the only participant to go under an hour. The event has been held every year since 1980, with the exception of three years.
Donner Lake, set in a magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains valley, is an iconic mountain lake with numerous recreational opportunities. You won’t find a more beautiful place to compete.
Getting to Donner Lake
Donner Lake, Truckee, CA. Located 35 miles west of Reno, NV and 100 miles east of Sacramento, CA. via Interstate 80. The start is at the east end of the lake by Donner Memorial State Park; the finish is at West End Beach.
If going directly to the start, take Exit 184, Donner Pass Road, off I-80. Go west on Donner Pass Road toward Donner Lake. At the start of the race, you may park at the Donner Museum parking lot for a fee or on the south side of Donner Pass Road (absolutely NO parking on the north side of Donner Pass Road).
If going directly to the West End Beach to take the free shuttle to the start, highly recommended, take either exit 184 or exit 180. The latter is recommended. If taking exit 180, go south on Donner Lake Road, toward the lake. At the finish, you may park at the West End Beach parking lot. A shuttle will operate between the start and finish from 6:30 AM to noon.
Registration and Finish Areas Maps
