Participants at a previous Teal Lake Swim compete across the 2.25-mile lake. The Swim Teal Lake: Benefit for Diabetes returns for its 19th event. The event features three separate races, all for a good cause as funds from the event will go to the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network. (Journal file photo)

NEGAUNEE — Area swimmers will have the chance to hit the lake for a great cause during the 19th annual Swim Teal Lake: Benefit for Diabetes July 30.

The benefit will see three different swims take place across the 2.25-mile expanse of Teal Lake. The first of the three heats, the “Short-n-Sweet” quarter-mile swim, begins at 8:30 a.m. and is open to all ages. The beginner race begins at 9 a.m. and will be a leisurely swim across Teal Lake. The main event, the competitive race gets underway at 9:30 a.m. The “Short-n-Sweet” heat will begin and end on the Negaunee side of Teal Lake. The two longer races will begin at the same location but end at Ishpeming’s Al Quaal beach.

Safety boats, kayaks and canoes will follow the swimmers during the swim to ensure safety.

A pre-race meeting will take place 15 minutes before the start of each race, where rules, safety issues and weather updates will be discussed with participants. If inclement weather arises, a make-up date will be set for July 31.

Donations from the event will be collected by the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network to create opportunities for diabetes care and support throughout the Upper Peninsula. The funding will go to connect and develop resources for diabetic U.P. residents, as well as assisting local health care systems who are working towards strengthening their diabetes services. More information about UPDON and their projects can be found online at www.diabetesinmichigan .org.

Registration for the event is ongoing, with a $75 fee for the two longer races and $20 for the Short-n-Sweet event. Individuals can register online at www.swimteallake.org or at Teal Lake the day of the event. Anyone with questions, or who would like to volunteer can contact Kristen at cambensyk@upcap.org.

The first Swim Teal Lake event took place in 2004 and was planned by Dr. Michael Grossman in conjunction with Bell Hospital and UPDON. Since then, more than $190,000 has been raised for diabetes care in the U.P. and has featured several notable guest speakers, including Olympic gold medal winners Mark Spitz, Peter Vanderkaay and Janet Evans.