RAPID CITY, S.D. – Waters were low and spirits were high Saturday morning as athletes gathered for the 2026 Pure Pactola open water swim on Saturday, August 29th.

The annual competition kicked off at 9 a.m. under clear skies with temperatures 75 degrees. The course for the longest distance race, the 5k, started from the Pactola Point Swim Beach then the course hugged the East coast along ‘Alcatraz’ and then North to the North boat dock where swimmers turned around to head back South along the same route to the original starting point. The course was marked by large inflatable buoys; different colors marked different distances for turn around points.

Click here to view the course map.

Swimmers took to the water with extensive safety measures in place, led by kayaker Justin Herreman alongside a fleet of paddleboarders, kayakers, and powerboaters. The Johnson Siding Volunteer Fire Department was also on scene to assist with rescue efforts as needed. For the first time ever, due to the increase in entanglement from fishing line because of low waters, safety scissors were handed out to rescue kayakers and paddleboarders.

Race director Jeremy Thomas led the event with Dalton Baker, co-owners of Reg-x Timing. A participant registration and timing software for endurance racing events.

In the 5k event, John Polansky of Loveland, Colorado, took first place for the overall male division with a time of 1:13:41.31. 16-year old Aaron Ainslie took second place with a time of 01:14:04.24. His dad, Daniel Ainslie took 6th with a time of 01:31:26.83 without a wetsuit. Taylor Beagle of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, claimed first place in the overall female division without a wetsuit, finishing in 1:14:16.60. Sofia Gonzalez of Brookings took second place with a time of 01:23:10.81 also without a wetsuit.

Local swimmers from Rapid City swept the top positions in the remaining distance categories:

In the 2.4-mile race, Landon Anderson captured the overall male title, while Marissa Renaud earned the top spot for the overall female division.

In the 1.2-mile distance, Owen Anderson claimed the overall male victory, and Izzy Renaud won the overall female division.

In the 0.5-mile race, Rylan Renaud finished first overall for the male category, while Solee Swank took the top spot for the overall female division.

Several young athletes also competed in the kids race, which spanned approximately 400 meters. Luke Sargent won the male division, and Ama Grace Chapman claimed victory in the female division.

View the full race results here.