Eight Swimrun Races to Enter in 2016
If you like a bit of trail running with your open water swimming, then the adventure sport of swimrun could be just for you. Here are eight races to try in 2016.
Second Saturday of the month, December 2015 to May 2016
The Swimmer
This half-marathon jaunt across London includes dips in four outdoor ponds and pools. Wetsuits are not allowed, so this is one for winter swimmers!
theswimmer.org
14 May
Loch Gu Loch
Thirteen swims totaling 8km, including a 2km swim across Loch Ness from Urqhart Castle. Seven run sections adding up to 47km of trail and cross country running.
lochguloch.com
25 June
Love SwimRun Llanberis
Great as an introduction to the sport, Love SwimRun Llanberis comprises four runs and four swims: 3.5km swimming in Llyn Padarn and 12.5km of off-road running around Snowdonia.
loveswimrun.co.uk
2 July
Breca Buttermere
Eight swims in Buttermere and nine runs across technical trails in the western fells of the Lake District. The total distance is 44km with 6km of swimming and 38km of running, including 1,900m of vertical ascent and Honister Pass.
brecaswimrun.com
17 July
The Broads
This event on the Norfolk Broads will feature two distances: a short course with 3km of swimming and 10km of running; and a long course consisting of 8km of swimming and 42km of running.
swimrunuk.wordpress.com
6 August
Snowdonia Llyn i Llyn
Run from lake to lake before ascending Snowdon! Eight swims totaling 8km and nine runs totaling 34km (including nearly 2,000m of ascent).
swimrunuk.wordpress.com
10 September
Hell’s Hop
A Hebridean island hop. Total swim distance of 8.7km, with the longest swim being a 2.3km crossing of the Sound of Barra and the shortest swim just 40m! Total running distance of 33km.
hells-hop.com
4 October
Loch Lomond Inch by Inch
As well as the main race of 10 swims totaling 8km and 24km of running, the event will also feature a short course of 3km of swimming and 10km of running.
swimrunuk.wordpress.com
For the full low-down on swimrun check out the December 2015/January 2016 issue of H2Open Magazine.
Jonathan Cowie
Jonathan is a year-round skins swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world. He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing new swimmers to the open water.
