Marathon Swims announces second venue and new charity partner for 2019

Marathon Swims offers regular swimmers the chance to complete the Olympic open water marathon distance in the pool. It launched at the London Aquatic Centre in 2017 as a one-day event, returned in 2018 as a two-day event and has now added a wonderful second venue for 2019.

That new venue, Sandford Parks Lido, a stunning outdoor pool on the edge of the Cotswolds, will host a Marathon Swims event on Saturday 27 July 2019. The venue is Marathon Swims’ first event outside London.

At the same time, Marathon Swims has announced a new charity partner, Level Water, which provides a fair start in sport for children with disabilities through one-to-one swimming lessons.

Marathon Swims follows a unique format for pool swims designed to facilitate unhindered swimming, automated counting and live updates on performance. Based on a 10-lane, 50m pool, starting in lane 1, swimmers complete two lengths in each lane before moving to the next. After 20 lengths (1km) the swimmer reaches the other side of the pool where they exit, run or walk back to the start (crossing a timing mat along the way) before re-entering the water and repeating the process up to 10 times for the full 10km marathon distance. Shorter distances and relay options are available.

The Marathon Swims event was shortlisted for Event of the Year at the BT Sport Industry Awards in 2018 and UK Active Awards 2018. The London event has sold out each year since its launch in 2017.

“Every major city in the world has its own running marathon, half marathon and triathlon. Cities now have the chance to host their own stand-out, accessible swimming event and we’re delighted to be working with such a fantastic venue as Sandford Parks Lido,” says Marathon Swims founder Diccon Loy. “We are also very excited to be working in partnership with Level Water. The charity is a highly relevant partner and provides essential support for children with disabilities. We know our participants will respond to the challenge and raise money for Level Water’s amazing work”.

Entries to Marathon Swims 2019 London and Sandford Parks Lido are now open. Participants can choose to fundraise for Level Water in the London Marathon Swims event.

Find out more: marathonswims.com