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Rutford swam the English Channel and circled Manhattan less than a month apart in 1988. His Channel trainer, Robert Mizelle, was the college friend whose own crossing had encouraged him to try. His Manhattan career included a clockwise swim in 1995 that took 17 hours 48 minutes 30 seconds.
Guinness counted 23 Manhattan circuits from 1988 through 2019. The New York register also lists later circuits under Kris Rutford, including 6 August 2026. His Catalina crossing in 2016 took 11 hours 41 minutes 5 seconds.
The recorded nationality is United States.
Kristian Rutford's published record includes performances from 1988 to 2026 in Open-water swimming — English Channel solo, Open-water swimming — Manhattan Island swim, Open-water swimming — Catalina Channel solo. Selected recorded events include English Channel solo (1988; source checked); Manhattan Island swim (2026; source checked); Catalina Channel solo (2016; source checked).
Kristian Rutford crossed the English Channel from England to France in 10 hours 44 minutes on 5 August 1988.
Also recorded as Kris Rutford.
Crossing details, recordings & verificationElapsed time · 10:44:00 (h:mm:ss)
Course · England to France
Departure clock · 05:59:00
Arrival clock · 16:43:00
Pilot · Ray Dixon
Escort vessel · Channel Express
Observer · I. Muir
Trainer · Robert Mizelle
Ratification · Channel Swimming Association
Sporting country on this result · USA
Clock basis · The source does not specify a time zone.
Elapsed time · 11:41:05 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Santa Catalina Island to the California mainland
Ratification · Catalina Channel Swimming Federation
Elapsed time · 7:48:56 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 5
Elapsed time · 7:56:39 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 6
Elapsed time · 7:10:04 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 4
Elapsed time · 7:06:44 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 2
Elapsed time · 5:53:57 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Mill Rock
Landing · Mill Rock
Sporting country on this result · USA
Elapsed time · 7:26:30 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 17:48:30 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Clockwise around Manhattan
Sporting country on this result · USA
Record note · The 8 Bridges race history identifies this as the first reverse circuit of Manhattan.
Elapsed time · 7:33:13 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 4
Elapsed time · 7:26:26 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 4
Elapsed time · 7:47:31 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 5
Elapsed time · 7:10:24 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 4
Elapsed time · 8:36:15 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Sporting country on this result · USA
Elapsed time · 7:51:18 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 8
Elapsed time · 9:51:03 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 13
Elapsed time · 7:55:17 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 8
Elapsed time · 8:21:15 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 11
Elapsed time · 8:18:45 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 16
Elapsed time · 8:10:29 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 12
Elapsed time · 8:22:20 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 8:42:53 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 7:50:24 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 10
Elapsed time · 7:49:24 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 6
Elapsed time · 7:57:23 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 7:50:36 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 7:26:38 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 8:08:42 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 8:13:06 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 8:17:55 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Ratification · New York Open Water
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Elapsed time · 8:25:07 (h:mm:ss)
Course · Counterclockwise around Manhattan
Start location · Pier A, Battery
Landing · Pier A, Battery
Sporting country on this result · USA
Published place · 1
Achievements update from recorded results. A tick means the supporting results are verified.
31 finishes completed
Based on 31 distinct completed events in your linked record.
VerifiedRaced in 30 calendar years
At least one recorded finish in each year; this does not imply an uninterrupted streak.
Each year counts once. A tick means at least one result from that year is verified.
50 finishes
19 more finishes needed
31 of 50 recorded
2 different sports
1 more different sport needed
1 of 2 recorded
40 calendar years with a finish
10 more calendar years with a finish needed
30 of 40 recorded
Kristian Rutford's published record includes performances from 1988 to 2026 in Open-water swimming — English Channel solo, Open-water swimming — Manhattan Island swim, Open-water swimming — Catalina Channel solo.
Selected events from this athlete’s recorded career. Verification is shown for each record.
English Channel solo
1988 · Open-water swimming — English Channel solo
Performance: 10:44:00
Source checkedManhattan Island swim
2026 · Open-water swimming — Manhattan Island swim
Performance: 8:25:07
Source checkedCatalina Channel solo
2016 · Open-water swimming — Catalina Channel solo
Performance: 11:41:05
Source checkedShowing 31–31 of 31 recorded performances.
| Race date | Race name | Sport | Distance / discipline | Location | Performance | Place | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 5 Aug 1988 | Completed event · Finisher · English Channel solo | Swimming | Open-water swimming — English Channel solo | England to France— | 10:44:00VerifiedTiming unknown | — | — |
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