Earlier in the year we, Shannon and I, decided we wanted to enter races this summer - so we signed up to a few SwimRuns in the UK.
Over the last few years we've done several other events in Wales, Germany, Croatia, Spain and Sweden. In contrast to triathlons they are easier to travel to (and train for) as you only have 2 sports (swim and run, without the cycling you have in triathlons).
There is some specialist kit you may need, such as a swimrun wetsuit (zip at the front), swimming paddles, pool buoy and lightweight shoes to swim in - but nothing too extravagant (like a bike!).
This year was about getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully in 2025 we'll be able to do some more events both in the UK and further afield.
Although I've used the term races, for us, they really are events.....the point being it provides a focus for training, tt's a chance to get away and visit somewhere new and we are not going to trouble the podium - hence the 'events'...We enjoy them!
For those not familiar with swimruns, they are events where you Run in your swimming kit, swim in your running kit....and repeat various numbers of times. It does mean you get a few quizzical looks when you are seen running in wetsuits with swim hat and goggles on but once you've got over that it really is a fun 'new' sport.
With the above in mind, every course is different both in the number of swim and runs you do but also the distances. So, ultimately, it's almost impossible to compare the times across different events. Runs can be partially on road, paths, in forests, along beaches or across hills and mountains. Similarly the swims can be in lakes, rivers or seas.
For most events (races) you can race either by yourself or as a pair. If you choose to do an event with someone else, it is worth trying to find someone that is relatively similar to you or you have different strengths so you can go at each others pace.
As with other events, you can do various distances based on your fitness, time available to train or your inclination. Longer swimruns tend to be around a total of 8km of swimming with maybe 38 km of running. Shorter swimruns, that we have done this summer are around 3km swimming with anything between 16-21km running.
What strikes me is that the feel of the events is pretty welcoming and friendly as the sport is still pretty new. Hopefully the number of events will continue to grow as more people get to know about the sport.
A lovely flat course that weaves along the Nene Valley. Lovely fresh river water, with relatively flat countryside to run across. Lots of fun with a very local feel to it. As Keen As Mustard Events organise multiple events through the summer in the broader Peterborough region.
Even having taken out some of the swims, due to poor conditions, this was a tough event with sea swims and hilly coastline running. That's not to say it wasn't fun - it certainly was, and it was set in stunning surroundings - starting and finishing at the National Trust Studland Bay Beach
This was our local event; in that it was only an hour (rather than 3 hours away). 3 swims and 3 runs in the countryside just to the north west of Oxford with 16km running and 3.6km of swimming. Running along the Thames and in the Oxford University Forest was lovely. I can't not mention the plethora of cakes at the end - I tried my best to try them all and was not disappointed.
I'd highly recommend all of the events we've done this year for sure. As a growing sport, both the events and the people doing them are really friendly and welcoming.
You can of course race these events, or like us, enjoy the experience and the chance to explore different areas in the UK. I'm sure we'll do more next year both in the UK and hopefully further afield.
If you have any questions about swimruns please do get in touch; we'd be happy to share any experiences we've had.
