Saluki Masters compete in Chicago

For a change, last Saturday under almost perfect weather and wind conditions and reasonable water temperature, 12 Saluki Masters swimmers successfully competed in the 34th-annual 2.5k and 5K Big Shoulders Open Water Swim Competition at the Ohio Street Beach location on Chicago’s lake front just north of Navy Pier.

More than a thousand swimmers enter this annual competition, and it is always held the first Saturday after Labor Day. From the onset a contingent of Saluki Masters swimmers have made the weekend trip to Chicago to compete in this classic open water swim competition. From one year to the next weather, wind and water temperature conditions vary from extremely challenging to calm and comfortable.

Saluki Masters' finishes were as follows:

5K event

• 18-24 female age group: Ana Tanda, 1st at 1 hour 9 minutes 29 seconds;

• 18-24 men age group: Ian Marshall, 1st at 1:05:54; Ben Rutledge, 2nd at 1:07:09.

• 35-39 female age group: Saluki Masters Coach Lily Glaeser, 8th at 1:25:00; Stephanie Jarvis, 11th at 1:46:50.

• 55-59 female age group: Katherine Poulos, 7th at 1:39:55.

• 55-59 male age group: Andy Pardieck, 2nd at 1:13:01.

• 65-69 male age group: Bob Golz, 14th at 1:44:43.

• 75-79 male age group: Clay Kolar, 76, 1st at 1:33:12 (oldest competitor entered at this year's Big Shoulders).

• Wet suit 5K event: Chris Hughes, 64, 125th out of 162 at 1:41:07.

2.5k event

• 65-69 female age group: Karen Hand, 3rd at 50:08; Diann Bauer, 5th at 54:25.