Swimathon has been running for over 30 years and after the success of last year it’s going back to the great outdoors for the first time. It’s a UK-wide swimming challenge raising money for great causes and Marie Curie are proud to be official charity partners, alongside Cancer Research UK.

Do I need to be a great swimmer?

You don’t need to be a professional, but should be comfortable swimming in open water. There’s still plenty of time to train!

How far do I need to swim?

It’s your choice. There are a number of distances, and you can swim 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k as an individual, or 1.5k or 5k as part of a team.

When and where can I swim?

Open Water Swimathon takes place on 7-9 September 2018 at 20 venues across the UK. Find your nearest event when you sign up

What if I can’t find an event near me or take part on that weekend?

Take a look at some of the other open water swimming events Marie Curie are involved with.

What equipment and training do I need?

Wetsuits are compulsory but may be available to hire on the day, depending on location. More information on equipment and training can be found in our Swimmers’ Zone.

I’ve seen that Cancer Research UK is also an Open Water Swimathon charity partner, how does that affect my fundraising?

Once you’ve registered to take part, Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK will receive an equal share of at least 70% of total funds raised. The Swimathon Foundation will receive the balance of the funds raised by the participants for the event’s operating costs and to fund Community Grants to promote swimming participation in local communities.