People of all ages and abilities seeking a New Year fitness challenge are being encouraged to sign up for Swimathon 2023 by Olympic swimming legends Duncan Goodhew MBE and Mark Foster.
Between 12-14th May 2023 over 450 swimming pools across the United Kingdom are taking part in what is the world’s largest annual fundraising swim, which this year is supporting Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life charity and Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading cancer charity.
Everyone is encouraged to head down to their local pool or lido and embark on this journey with family and friends, weither indivudally or as part of a team of 6.
Swimathon chairman Goodhew recommended entering as a boost to good New Year habits. “There’s a lot of pressure during the New Year about giving things up, but why not take something up instead?” he said. “New Year is a great time to jump into a new challenge, so head down to the pool and see how swimming can change your life.
“The positive impact that it has both physically and mentally is undeniable, and that’s why I’m so keen about promoting Swimathon as a way of showcasing swimming as a fun, accessible, and exhilarating form of exercise.”
Foster shares that view point. “Swimming is an accessible and low impact sport that also has proven mental health benefits. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to head down to their local pool to take on the Swimathon.”
Seasoned swimmers and beginners to the sport alike will be hitting their local pools and lidos with participants able to choose from 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k events as individual challenges. Or for those looking for a bigger test, there’s the triple 5k or the 30.9k – which is all the other distances combined.
But you don’t need to be an ex-Olympian to take part. As Goodhew notes: “Swimathon is a truly inclusive event. You don’t need to be the fastest swimmer, you just need try your best and enjoy yourself.”
Since its inception in 1986, the event has raised over £52 million has been raised for a range of charities and over 700,000 people have taken part. To join them, sign up using the link below before 31st January and pay just £9.75 per person, with under 16s free: