2026 U.S. Masters Swimming Open Water Middle Distance National Championships: Square Lake 2 Mile Swim

Welcome to Minnesota! Race in one of Minnesota's amazing 10,000 lakes! Square Lake is close to Minneapolis/ St. Paul and historic downtown Stillwater, MN.

The USMS National Championship race is a 2-mile open water swim.

If you are a current USMS member you will be given a $20 RACE credit before checkout. This will appear in the registration process.

USMS One Day event registrants and all other exhibition swimmers will not be eligible for USMS national championship awards.

Schedule

Saturday, July 25, 2026: 2 Mile Swim
6:40 – 7:25 AM  Body Marking and Packet Pickup
6:40 – 7:25 AM Timing Chip Pickup
7:45 AM Mandatory Course Briefing
8:00 AM Wave 1 Start (in water)
8:02 AM Wave 2 Start (in water)
8:04 AM Wave 3 Start (in water)
8:06 AM Wave 4 Start (in water)
8:08 AM Wave 5 Start (in water)
8:12 AM Wave 6 (Exhibition) Start (in water)

Waves
Waves will be swum fastest to slowest based on one-mile open-water swim times. Please enter your estimated open water one-mile swim time when registering. The exhibition wave is for one-day event USMS registrants. 

Time Standards
Participants should be able to complete the 2-mile course within 2 hours. Swimmers may be pulled out if they are still swimming past this time. Swimmers must also be past the halfway point by 60 minutes or they risk being pulled out. 

Event Host
Minnesota Masters

Facility Host
Square Lake Park, Washington County

Venue Location
15450 Square Lake Trail North, Stillwater, MN 55082

Parking Lot Fee 
There is a $7/car fee to park your vehicle for the day. There is one machine in each of the two parking lots. Plan extra time to pay for parking. 

Water Temperature 
The water temperature is estimated to be around 78 to 82 degrees. 

Event Official
Race Director: Nicki Phillips: nicki_phillips@hotmail.com

Rules and Safety
Current USMS Open Water rules apply. Under USMS Open Water rules, your age is determined as of December 31, 2026, except that you must be at least age 18 years old on July 25, 2026. All participants are required to wear the event-supplied brightly colored swim cap and have their body marked with registration number for safety reasons. 

Sanction Number
The sanction number for the middle distance championships is 306-W001.

Para Swimmers/ Disability Swimmers 
Para and Disability swimmers are welcome. Please notify the race director prior to the competition day, of any disability and of the requested modification. The swimmer/coach shall provide any assistance or equipment if required.

Swimwear and Caps
Swimmers shall wear swimsuits in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials and not contain clasps or zippers. For both men and women, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck and shall not extend past the shoulder nor below the ankles. No fins, buoys, or other devices will be allowed. You must wear the swim cap provided for your race. 

Wetsuits 
Wetsuits are not allowed in this race because the water temperature will be over 78 degrees.

Rules

Current USMS rules will govern this event. See part 3 of the USMS Rule Book for details.

One-Day USMS Swimmers
All registered one-day USMS swimmers will swim in the exhibition heat and will not qualify for any national USMS awards. 

Check-In
Morning check-in starts at 6:40.  Please arrive early and allow extra time for checking in.  Check-In closes 35 minutes prior to race time.

Timing Chips
We are using a chip timing system for the swim. All swimmers will have to pick up their timing chip the morning of their swim and return chips immediately at the finish line.   

Please make sure that you turn in your timing chip right after you finish the swim. You will be charged for the timing chip if you fail to do so. If you lose your chip during the race please let the race director know immediately after the swim to ensure correct backup times.

If you leave the race early, please turn in your timing chip to the timing chip company and check in with the race director. Failure to do so may cause race disruptions and safety protocols to be activated.

Mandatory Course Briefing
The mandatory course and safety briefing begins promptly 15 minutes prior to race start and all participants are required to attend.

2 Mile Course
Rectangular 1 mile course marked by buoys, lifeguards on rescue boats, kayaks, and other safety resources. In-water start, swim two loops counter-clockwise around four tetrahedron turn buoys with finish through the chute on shore. Course is subject to change as event day conditions warrant.

Online Registration

Early entry fee for the 1 mile is $90 ($20 discount for registered USMS members or $70) for entries received by 11:59 PM CT May 1, 2026. Regular entry fee for the 1 mile is $100 ($20 discount for registered USMS members or $80) for entries received by 11:59 CT July 19, 2026.

No paper entries accepted for this event. If there is a problem registering, contact event host. 

Use link below to join USMS.

Join or renew USMS Here

Entry Limits
Entries are limited to 200 swimmers for the event. 

Race Day Entries
No late day entries! No race day entries! No exceptions! No transfers! No deferrals! No refunds! No whining!

Inclement Weather
Event may be delayed or cancelled due to extreme weather or other emergency as determined by the race director, safety director, or venue host. No refunds will be given for race cancellation due to weather conditions. Every effort will be made to hold a safe race.

T-Shirts
T-shirts are an add-on to this race. You will be able to order a t-shirt for $20 within the registration process through July 1, 2026. 

Awards
USMS National Championship medals will be awarded to the top 6 men and women in each age group: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, (additional 5-year age groups as needed).

All-American patches will be given to all first-place age group winners of each gender.

Awards will only be given out at the awards ceremony; they will not be mailed out afterwards. 

USMS one day registrants and all other exhibition swimmers will not be eligible for USMS national championship awards. Use link below to join USMS. 

Join or renew USMS Here

Here are some suggested hotels close to the lake. 

AmericInn Stillwater 
13025 60th St N
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
651-275-0980

Country Inn and Suites
2000 Washington Avenue
Stillwater, MN, 55082
866-246-0070

Stillwater Inn & Suites
1750 W Frontage Rd W
Stillwater, MN 55082
651-430-1300