Organisers have officially launched the Great East Swim 2018. Find out all the details here, including how to apply.
Suffok’s biggest open water-swimming event will return to Alton Water Reservoir near Holbrook on Saturday, June 23 2018. Entries are now open.
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More than two thousand people of all ages and abilities regularly take the plunge at the Great East Swim, which offers the opportunity for everyone to take part – from first timers to experienced open water swimmers.
The hugely popular event is now in its ninth year and will feature seven distances across a packed day of swimming.
These range from a Swim250 for beginners and participants as young as eight, which is back by popular demand, up to the challenging marathon 10k swim.
The Great East SwimRun will also return to the event, meaning that the day will be inclusive to a range of ages and abilities.
Last year, swimmers and spectators were treated to glorious weather conditions at the region’s largest manmade reservoir, with beautiful sunshine and water temperatures reaching over 20C (68F).
The event is organised by The Great Run Company, which also organised the inaugural and successful Great East Run in Ipswich and surrounding areas in September.
Every year, participants and supporters are treated to on-site entertainment across the day, as well as a farmers market to refuel after their swim.
The Great East Swim also includes an outreach programme, which is organised by Suffolk County Council to target physically inactive adults.
The programme offers 50 people who are not confidently engaged in a sport with an opportunity to push themselves in a challenging environment.
They are supported throughout their training with the aim of completing the half-mile or one-mile distance at the event in the summer.
Tony Goldson, cabinet member for health at Suffolk County Council, said: “As long term partners of the Great East Swim, Suffolk County Council recognises the value and impact that mass participation events have on helping to achieve our ambition of making Suffolk England’s most active county.
“With the new year just around the corner there’s no better time to set yourself a physical activity challenge and with distances to suit all levels and abilities, it realty is an event that is open to all.”
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