Paying tribute to a local legend of the sport of swimming and hoping to encourage more Bristolians to get in the water, local organizers and the Bristol Parks &

Recreation Department hosted the William J. McCarthy Memorial Swim at Bristol Town Beach Saturday.

About 40 swimmers took part in the half-mile swim, 4x100 yard relay race and Fins & Floaties Fun Swim for Kids. Each participant paid a $25 registration fee ($10 for kids), the proceeds of which go toward a planned Bristol Aquatic Center at the Quinta Gamelin Center on Asylum Road.

“I thought it went really well,” said Cyndi Cole, one of the organizers of the fifth annual event. “It’s mainly to bring awareness to the facility and the town programs, and to get people thinking, ‘Gee, maybe we would like to get a pool here in Bristol.’”

Swimmers dealt with some choppy conditions on the water, making the first leg of the half-mile swim more challenging, Ms. Cole said. But all finished the race, and male and female winners were crowned. The results include:

Half-mile race - men

• 1st - Chris Doppke
• 2nd - Rich Sweetman
• 3rd - D.J. Doppke

Half-mile race - women

• 1st - Patricia Murphy
• 2nd - Sara Sweetman
• 3rd - Sandy Ruggiero

4x100 relay race

• Winning team - Mark Rhymes, Donna Doane, Kerri Nappi and Ethan Tucker

Kids race

• 1st - Daizy Sweetman
• 2nd - Roxy Sweetman

The race, modeled after the former Drumstick Point Swim (a half-mile from Drumstick Point to Bristol Town Beach) is named for the late William J. McCarthy, a lifelong Bristolian who was an advocate for the sport.

“He embodied swimming,” Ms. Cole said, noting Mr. McCarthy competed in New England Masters swim meets. “He wanted everyone to learn how to swim, which anyone can do, and do their whole life.”

In addition to entrance fees, race organizers earned money through sponsorships and local donations, raffles and a live auction. Plans are already underway for the 6th annual event, tentatively scheduled for Victory Day weekend next August. Anyone interested in registering, sponsoring or donating can visit www.mccarthyswim.org.