I'm not really a 'sponsor me' kind of person, but I hope my friends and family will jump in for three worthy causes.

This is the first time they've tried to run a Swimathon in open water, and it will be happening in lakes and on coasts around the UK. 

I support the charities, but I'm also a big fan of the Swimathon for helping swimmers of different abilities team together and meet real endurance challenges.

5K is a long way.  The IronMan swim is only 3.8K.  UK open water is murky and cold. It's been hard work just getting into the pool at Jesus Green to train!  Tempting sometimes to wuss out, but not if there are donations riding on it. 

Luckily, Marie Curie does fantastic work supporting the dignity and humanity of people at the end of their lives. Please consider supporting them even if not here.

About this challenge....

New to the Swimathon family, Open Water Swimathon is an open water event happening for the first time in 2017.

The inaugural Open Water Swimathon will take place on 9th-10th September.

Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie are uniting as partners for Open Water Swimathon 2017 to raise as much money as possible for two causes close to the nation’s hearts.

Open Water Swimathon participants will have the opportunity to participate as individuals (1.5K, 2.5K or 5K) or in the team challenge (1.5K or 5K), providing the perfect challenge for both experienced open water swimmers, and those transferring from the pool to the open water for the first time.