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

KELOWNA – A potentially record-breaking swim is churning along in the waters of Okanagan Lake as an endurance swimmer from the United States got closer to his goal.

Support crews for triathlete Adam Ellenstein, 39, 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, July 25, 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. today.

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.