IN PICTURES: 12.5-MILE SWIM AROUND KEY WEST DRAWS 172 ATHLETES

Since 1996, swimmers have immersed themselves in their saltwater surroundings and competed in the Swim Around Key West, sponsored by the College of the Florida Keys.

The 12.5-mile open-water race took place on June 18 in both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, drawing 172 swimmers ranging in age from 16 to 64.

Alison Hayden, 50, was the overall winner, completing the course that starts and ends at Smathers Beach in 4 hours 29 minutes and 13 seconds. In the men’s division, Michael Guirl, 51, was the first-place winner, finishing in 4 hours 41 minutes and 42 seconds.

With kayaks, lifeguards and support vessels nearby, and plenty of diver-down flags to warn boaters, the swimmers left from Smathers Beach and headed around the Southernmost Point to Key West Harbor, often getting entangled in seaweed. The racers then swam under the Fleming Key Bridge, through the City of Key West mooring field, around Sigsbee Park and on to Cow Key Bridge. They then made their way past the airport and back to the finish line at Smathers Beach.

There were competitive categories for solo swimmers and relay teams, as well as categories for swimmers using fins, a monofin or a mermaid tail.

More than 170 swimmers and relay teams take part in the College of the Florida Keys’ annual Swim Around Key West, a 12.5-mile open-water race that was held on June 18. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.