OWASCO - Some athletes strived to set new records while others searched for their inner strength as they participated in a distance run or a mile-long swim at Emerson Park Monday.

For Joan Sewert, 59, of Marion, just finishing the five kilometer race was part of her life altering goal.

“One day I put my knitting needles down and my daughter inspired me to run,” Sewert said. “I think I am in better shape now than I have ever been in my life. I think my mind will go before my body.”

Sewert was part of a group of nearly 50 people that came out for the event, which also featured a fun run and a 10 kilometer race to raise money for the Auburn High School's cross country team.

In addition to running, Sewert had learned how to ski and had competed in several triathlon events with the help of her daughter, Shelly Connors. Connors, who is a physical education teacher at Auburn High School, took first place overall in the 10 kilometer race.

“I am in much better shape than I would have been because of her,” Sewert said. “My blood pressure is low and I got an A on my physical fitness test.”

Also competing were David and Chad Elkovitch, who were a father-and-son team using the event as a training session for the Adirondack Marathon later in September.

“We are here to run and have a good time while supporting the Auburn cross country team,” David said. “I am usually in the back of the pack but Chad can win something in his age division. But this is going to be a low tempo run for him to get ready for his marathon.”

For people looking for a low key endurance test with an opportunity to cool off, there was the Swim Owasco event, which was being held to raise awareness about the environmental issues effecting the lake.

Julie and Duke Whitmore, of Groton, were part of a group of 90 swimmers who made it back to the beach after being dropped off in the middle of the lake. While the event was not a race, it did force the participants to test their own strength.

“The whole object of this is to be able to finish,” Julie said. “We did this last year and we didn't have to work the next day which was good because we had muscle aches and pains. Our only workout was walking a lot.”

For Duke, who is an Ithaca firefighter, the event was a chance to put his body to the test after undergoing hip surgery last winter.

“This was a great swim,” said Duke, as he made it to shore. It wasn't too bad, it was just a long ways. It was slow but it was a long way. Getting in was the hardest part, then once you start to swim you warm up. But that first stroke is always the hardest part.“

Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net