ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Up to 400 individual and relay team swimmers are expected to enter the third annual Swim for Alligator Light set for Saturday, Sept. 19, in Atlantic Ocean waters off Islamorada.

Individuals, two- and four-person teams have up to seven hours to complete the 9-mile roundtrip course. Swimmers must show prior proof of completing a 1,650-meter or 1-mile swim in 35 minutes or less to compete as an individual.

The course features an in-water start and a beach finish, ending shoreside at the event's headquarters, The Moorings Village & Spa resort, located at 123 Beach Road in Islamorada.

Registration and check-in are set for 2-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Swimmers' wave start times are to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. All racers must exit the water by 3 p.m.

First- through third-place solo and two-person team finishers are to win cash prizes and trophies in overall male and female divisions. Other prizes also are to be awarded in sunset ceremonies set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Moorings Village beach.

Entry fee is $150 per swimmer, for either individuals or team members. The field is limited to 400 swimmers. Admission for spectators is free.

Founded by Florida Keys artist “Lighthouse Larry” Herlth, the event raises awareness of the six aging offshore Florida Keys lighthouses fabricated in the 1800s. Constructed to warn ships away from the Florida Keys reef tract, the lighthouses are no longer maintained because their function has been replaced by modern GPS navigation.

Event information: www.swimalligatorlight.com

Islamorada visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS

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