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Swimrun Events in the UK

Swimrun Events in the UK.

From the granite cliffs of Cornwall to the mirror-calm waters of the Lake District, from the wild Atlantic shores of the Isles of Scilly to the rolling hills of Wales, the UK offers an incredible variety of swimrun terrain.

Add to that a passionate and welcoming community of athletes, and you've got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable race experience. Whether you're chasing a personal best or just want to explore somewhere spectacular under your own steam, UK swimrun events deliver in spades.



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Swimrun Events In The UK


Your Complete Guide to Races, Locations & Distances!

Here is a list of ALL currently listed swimrun organisers and events in the UK. If you want to jump down to a specific one, just click on the appropriate link below. 

If you want to browse through them all, just scroll down in your own time! You may discover something unexpected...

Swimrun Events In The UK


Mad Hatter Sports Events
— Cornwall, South-West England

Cornwall is one of the most dramatic swimrun destinations in the country, and Mad Hatter Sports Events make the most of every inch of it. They run 2 fantastic races in the South-West of England.

The first is the Hokey Cokey St. Austell event, which offers two distances — 10.3km or 19km — giving both newcomers and experienced swimrunners a genuine choice.

The second race takes place at the stunning Gribbin Head near Fowey in September, covering 10.3km of spectacular Cornish coastline. Both events are set against the kind of scenery that makes you forget you're racing.

If you've never done a swimrun before, the shorter 10.3km distance at St. Austell is a brilliant place to start.



Clevedon Swimrun, Somerset, by Channel Events

Moving from Cornwall up to Somerset, the Clevedon Swimrun is a fantastic option for those looking for a summer event with flexible distances. Organised by Channel Events and held in July, this race takes place around the beautiful Clevedon area on the Bristol Channel coast.

Participants can choose between 8km or 4.5km, making it one of the more accessible swimrun events in the UK for beginners and those returning from injury. The shorter 4.5km course is particularly welcoming for first-timers who want to experience the thrill of swimrun without committing to a longer, more demanding distance.

Clevedon itself is a charming Victorian seaside town, and the event has a warm, community feel that keeps people coming back year after year.

Swimrun Events In The UK

Tal Y Llyn swim exit


Weswimrun.org — Eliminator Events in Liverpool and Wales

If you're looking for something a little different, Weswimrun.org hosts 3 Eliminator-style events that bring a competitive edge to the swimrun format.

The Eliminator concept means athletes are progressively cut from the race at checkpoints, so only the strongest make it to the finish — it's intense, and exciting. Their events are held in:

Tal Y Llyn is a glacial lake nestled in the Snowdonia mountains, offering cold, clear water and dramatic mountain scenery. Aberdyfi sits at the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary, with a mix of estuary swimming and coastal running. These events suit athletes who are comfortable in open water and want to test themselves against a competitive field.


Llanberis coaching


Love Swimrun — Llanberis, Wales

Wales continues to punch well above its weight in the world of swimrun, and Love Swimrun Llanberis is one of the crown jewels of the UK calendar. Set in the heart of Snowdonia, this event offers a choice of 6km or 16km, catering to both newcomers and those ready for a more serious challenge.

The 16km course in particular is a proper mountain swimrun experience, taking athletes through some of the most iconic landscape in Wales — think slate-grey lakes, rocky ridgelines, and the brooding presence of Snowdon looming overhead.

**This event is back for 2027**, so now is the time to start planning and training. If you've been looking for a reason to visit Snowdonia, this is it!

UK Swimrun Events


Scilly60
— Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly Swimrun, held by Scilly60. This event takes place on the spectacular Isles of Scilly, a remote archipelago off the tip of Cornwall.

There are 3 race distances on offer, and while they might not look particularly long on paper, don't be fooled — the real challenge here is the long swim legs in very cold Atlantic water.

The Scilly60 is not for the faint-hearted. Swimming between islands in open ocean conditions, with strong currents and chilly temperatures, demands serious open-water experience and a high degree of fitness. That said, for those who are ready for it, this is a bucket-list event unlike anything else in UK swimrun. 


Mustard logo cropped


As Keen As Mustard
— Grafham Water + The Survivor

As Keen As Mustard is a well-established name in UK swimrun events, running 3 events across England. Their first event is at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire, one of the largest reservoirs in England and a superb open-water swimming venue.

Their second event is run with Gritty Rascals at Bewl Water in Kent/East Sussex, another stunning reservoir setting with plenty of character.

And their third event — the standout of the three — is back at Grafham Water for an Eliminator-style event called The Survivor. As the name suggests, The Survivor is a knockout-format race where competitors are eliminated at intervals, leaving only the toughest athletes standing at the end.

It's a brilliant concept that adds real drama and tension to the swimrun format. As Keen As Mustard events are well-organised and welcoming, making them a solid choice for both beginners and experienced swimrunners alike.

Grafham Water

UK Swimrun Events


Wales Swimrun
— Two Epic Distances

The Wales Swimrun offers two serious race distances: 18.7km or 29km. This is not a beginner's event — both distances demand a solid base of swimrun fitness and experience in open water.

Set in the wild and beautiful landscapes of Wales, the course takes athletes through a mix of lake swimming, river crossings, and trail running across some genuinely remote terrain.

The 29km option in particular is a full-day adventure that will test your endurance, navigation, and mental resilience. If you've done a few shorter swimruns and you're ready to step up to something truly challenging, the Wales Swimrun should be high on your list. 


Gritty Rascals logo


Gritty Rascals Events
— Gower, Coniston & Bewl Water

Gritty Rascals Events is one of the most active swimrun organisers in the UK, staging 3 races across England and Wales.

The Gower event takes place on the stunning Gower Peninsula in South Wales — the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — where dramatic limestone cliffs meet golden beaches and crystal-clear sea.

The Swimrun Coniston event heads to the Lake District, where the famous Coniston Water provides a stunning backdrop for a classic lake-and-fell swimrun experience.

And their newest addition is the Bewl Water event in Kent, previously run by As Keen As Mustard Events, set on the largest inland water in the South-East of England. Gritty Rascals events are known for their well-marked courses, friendly atmosphere, and excellent organisation. They offer a range of distances across their events, making them accessible to a broad range of athletes. 

UK Swimrun Events


Great North Swimrun — Windermere, Lake District

The Lake District is a great location for swimrun, and the Great North Swimrun at Windermere shows you why. Held in June, this race offers 2 distances: 12km and 24km, both set against the breathtaking scenery of England's largest natural lake.

Windermere is iconic — its glassy surface, wooded shores, and surrounding fells make it one of the most photogenic swimrun venues in the world. The 12km course is a great entry point for those stepping up from shorter events, while the 24km is a serious undertaking that demands respect.

The Great North Swimrun has a fantastic reputation for organisation and atmosphere, and the June timing means you can expect (relatively!) decent weather and longer daylight hours. 



Studland Swimrun — Dorset

Dorset's Jurassic Coast is one of England's most dramatic stretches of coastline, and the Studland Swimrun makes brilliant use of it. This event will take place again in 2027 after a break in 2026, with 3 distances: 8km, 11km, and 27km, giving athletes at every level a genuine option.

Studland Bay itself is one of the most beautiful beaches in England — a wide arc of golden sand backed by heathland and nature reserves, with the iconic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks standing sentinel at the headland.

The 8km course is ideal for beginners or those new to coastal swimrun, while the 27km is a serious coastal epic that will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery on the South Coast. 

Studland swimrun Dorset UKStudland swimrun, Dorset UK

Swimrun Events In The UK


Mana Art Erne Swimrun — Northern Ireland

Swimrun events in the UK aren't limited to England and Wales — Northern Ireland has its own race - the Mana Art Erne Swimrun. Held in August, this event covers 11.5km across the beautiful landscape surrounding Lough Erne in County Fermanagh.

Lough Erne is a vast, island-dotted lake system in the heart of Northern Ireland, and it provides a truly unique swimrun setting — calm, dark water, ancient islands, and a sense of wild remoteness that's hard to find anywhere else.

The 11.5km distance makes this event accessible to a wide range of athletes, including those who are relatively new to swimrun. August is a great time to race in Northern Ireland, with the long summer evenings adding to the atmosphere. 



Jersey Swimrun — Channel Islands

The Channel Islands might be small, but they punch well above their weight when it comes to swimrun. The Jersey Swimrun is one of the most impressive events in the British Isles, offering no less than 4 distances:

  • 4km, 
  • 20km, 
  • 33km, 
  • and a monster 53km. 

The island's dramatic granite cliffs, hidden coves, and powerful tidal currents make it a genuinely challenging and spectacular venue. The 4km option is perfect for beginners or those wanting a taste of the Jersey experience without committing to a full-day effort.

The 53km is one of the longest and most demanding swimrun events anywhere in the UK or Europe. The event is well-organised with strong local support. Whatever distance you choose, a swimrun in Jersey is an experience you won't forget.


How to Choose the Right Event for You

With so many swimrun events in the UK to choose from, how do you pick the right one? Here are a few things to consider:

- Experience level: If you're new to swimrun, look for events offering shorter distances (4km–8km) with calm, sheltered water. The Clevedon Swimrun (4.5km), the Jersey Swimrun (4km), and the Hokey Cokey St. Austell (10.3km) are all great starting points.

- Location: Choose an event that excites you geographically. Part of the joy of swimrun is exploring new places — so pick somewhere you've always wanted to visit.

- Water conditions: Coastal events like Scilly60 and Jersey involve open ocean swimming with currents and cold temperatures. Reservoir and lake events like Grafham Water and Windermere tend to be calmer and more predictable.

- Race format: If you want a competitive knockout experience, look at the Eliminator events from Weswimrun.org and As Keen As Mustard's Survivor.

- Pair or solo: Most events allow both, but pairing up with a friend is strongly recommended for beginners.


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Richard Mitchell, BDS, and Mogsy Ford are swimrun competitors and endurance athletes who write from direct racing experience. We have competed in swimrun since 2016, and bring added perspective from competitive running (5K to marathon) and open-water swim racing. This website has been mentioned by The Guardian newspaper. As married teammates, we train together, and build holidays around races. Read more at the 'About Us' page.