On August 6th, after 16 hours and 6 minutes of grueling effort, Rachel Griffin emerged from the waters of the English Channel and stepped onto French sand. With that final stroke, she not only conquered one of the most iconic swims in history but also joined an elite group of fewer than 400 people worldwide to achieve the Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming: the Catalina Channel, 20 Bridges around Manhattan, and the English Channel.
This accomplishment is extraordinary on its own, but for Rachel, the meaning runs much deeper. She has dedicated every mile to her mission of Channeling for a Cure, swimming in honor of her mother, Patricia, who passed away from pancreatic cancer 17 years ago. Her English Channel swim took on a new meaning this year after her dad, William, passed away in April. Her parents’ strength continues to fuel her determination to not only take on physical challenges but to raise awareness and critical funds for cancer research, advocacy, and patient care.
Rachel’s journey began in 2018, when she crossed the Catalina Channel, 21 miles from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, California. A year later, she completed the 20 Bridges Swim, a 28.5-mile circumnavigation of Manhattan Island. Each of these swims pushed the limits of her body and mind, yet she pressed forward, knowing that the struggles she faced in the water were small compared to the challenges faced by those battling cancer.
Her final test was the English Channel. In 2024, Rachel experienced the “Dover Coaster," a roller coaster of emotions tied to the grueling fate of swimming the English Channel. After waiting 10 days for a chance to attempt her swim, it was postponed until 2025 due to the weather. As she told us, “This journey is personal. It’s emotional. And it’s been years in the making. I trained for over a year for last summer’s attempt, only to be stopped by the weather.”
In 2025, the stars aligned and on the 99th anniversary of Trudy Ederle’s groundbreaking swim when she became the first woman to conquer the Channel, Rachel set out on her own crossing. She wrote, “This is my chance to finish what I started – for my parents, for those fighting this disease, and for a future with better outcomes.” Through jellyfish stings, unrelenting swells, and the daunting presence of massive freight ships, she swam on through the night, guided only by her training, her willpower, and the memories of her parents.
Now, Rachel is just steps away from reaching another ambitious goal, raising $100,000 for three organizations close to her heart: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Every donation helps her transform this personal milestone into a beacon of hope for families facing cancer.
Watch Rachel’s recap video of this unforgettable journey
Rachel’s grit, determination, and heart shine through every mile she swims. Her Triple Crown achievement is proof that courage and passion can carry us through the darkest moments. Please join us in celebrating this extraordinary milestone, and in supporting the ultimate goal of a cancer-free future.
