International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame

Logo of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame

Sea Goddess Trophy being held by International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame honorees Jacqueline McClelland of Ireland, Madhu Nagaraja of Canada, Joe Zemaitis of the USA, and Bárbara Hernández Huerta of Chile in 2026

Sir Billy Butlin awarding Greta Andersen Verres with a perpetual trophy from the Billy Butlin Cross Channel International Swims across the English Channel. Photo courtesy of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

Sally Minty-Gravett, M.B.E., and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer. Photo courtesy of Peter Mourant/Jersey Evening Post

Major General Ahmed Zorkani, an Honour Administrator in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, is shown awarding the winner of the 36 km Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli in Italy in the 1950s

George Young, an Honour Swimmer in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame with his escort boat during the 1927 Wrigley Ocean Marathon Swim. Photo courtesy of Catalina Channel swimmer Chris Geer of Channel Twenty-one

William Wrigley, Jr. with George Young, both inductees in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, after the 1927 Wrigley Ocean Marathon Swim. Photo courtesy of Catalina Channel swimmer Chris Geer of Channel Twenty-one

Cliff Lumsdon, an International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer, inducted in 1969 and an International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer inducted in 2013

Don Watson, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Administrator, Class of 2013

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honour Swimmer Ted Keenan after his Bristol Channel marathon swim in 1975

Frank Pritchard, Honour Swimmer of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, in a 1937 cartoon about marathon swimming at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, sponsored by Camel and provided by Jim Pritchard, surviving grandson

IMSHOF coach Thomas Watch of Great Britain

Original International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame logo

noun - International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is an affiliate organization to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), established in 1971 with induction classes defined from 1963 that recognizes and honors marathon swimmers throughout the world.

History

The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame was established in 1971 by Commander Gerald Forsberg, OBE, Buck Dawson, Joe Grossman and the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation to recognize the achievements and contributions of those who have distinguished themselves in marathon swimming.

Attendees included Beth Yudovin, Carol Sing, Colleen Blair, MBE, Courtney Moates Paulk, Dan Simonelli, Dina Levačić, Elizabeth Fry, Forrest Nelson, Grace van der Byl, Jacques Tuset, Joe Zemaitis, Jorge “Coco” Villegas Pérez, Marcia Cleveland, Ned Denison, Nora Toledano Cadena, Richard Broer, Ros Hardiman, Sally Anne Minty-Gravett, MBE, Sandra Bucha Kerscher, Stève Stievenart, and Suzanne Heim-Bowen

Mission

The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is an educational organization and registered non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote the exploits and history of marathon swimming. The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame is an online virtual shrine dedicated to the history, memory, and recognition of the accomplished individuals.

Induction Ceremonies

The Class of 2011 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held at the United Nations in New York City. The Class of 2012 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held on the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. The Class of 2013 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held in Cork, Ireland. The Class of 2014 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held on the Isle of Bute in Scotland. The Class of 2015 and 2016 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held in San Pedro California. The Class of 2016 and 2017 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held in Old Windsor, UK. The Class of 2018 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held in Melbourne, Australia. The Class of 2020 and 2021 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held virtually on a pre-recorded basis. The Class of 2022 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction & award ceremonies were held in Naples, Italy. The Class of 2023 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction & award ceremonies were held in New York City. The Class of 2024 International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction & award ceremonies will be held in Cancun, México.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame for the period starting 1 January 2023 are:

IMSHOF Chair & Policy, Community, Memberships, Media Communications and General Information: Ned Denison
IMSHOF Nominations/Selection: Nora Toledano Cadena
IMSHOF Finance: Beth Yudovin
IMSHOF Ceremony Booklet: Richard Broer
IMSHOF Technology Operations and Social Media: Madhu Nagaraja
IMSHOF Social Media (TikTok): Alice Dearing

The previous International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Board of Directors up until 2014 was as follows:

Kevin Murphy (GBR) - President
Christopher Guesdon (AUS) Vice President Operations
Steven Munatones (USA) Vice President Chief Administrator
Dale Petranech (USA) – Honorary Secretary/Treasurer
Lynn Blouin (Canada) – Vice President North America
Silvia Dalotto (ARG) – Vice President South America
Stephane Lecat (FRA)-Vice President Europe
Yuko Matsuzaki (JAP)- Vice President Asia
Neville Smith (RSA) Co Vice President Africa
Wayne Riddin (RSA) Co Vice President Africa
Philip Rush (NZL) Vice President Oceania
Conrad Wennerberg, (USA) Chairman Emeritus