On September 16th, the sixth annual Meters for Mike swim will take place along the New Jersey shoreline.
Meters for Mike is a 1500 meter open water race benefitting individuals living with traumatic brain injuries, in honor of Micheal Heaney.
Heaney passed away in 2013 after a prolonged battle with brain trauma after getting hit by a car while biking in 2012. He was a graduate of The College of New Jersey, where he served as a captain of the Lions swim team.
The race was originally started by Mike’s brother and friends to help offset the cost of his medical bills, but since his passing, has benefitted the Brain Injury Alliance. The first two years generated about $40,000 combined to help Mike’s family. Last year’s swim generated $9,000 for the Alliance, which distributes proceeds to people living with brain injury through scholarships and direct donations to those in need.
Additionally, as of 2016, the Michael Heaney fund gives out scholarships to two graduating high school seniors in the New Jersey Tri County Swim League.
In years past, over 600 swimmers have showed up on race-day, making it the largest open water swim on the Jersey shore for the last three years.
Here are some highlights from past years:
The race will begin at Belmar Beach at 8:30 a.m. on the 16th. Teams or individuals can pre-register now, or register beginning at 7 a.m. on race day.