Firstly, the charity places are HALF PRICE and you won't need to enter via the ballot for the Marathon 10k or Half Marathon 5k. By entering with a charity place, you will be agreeing to fundraise for and share your contact details with our partner charity, Alzheimer's Society.

In return for your guaranteed place and HALF PRICE discount you will agree to fundraise £350 (Marathon 10k and Team 10k), £250 (Half Marathon 5k) and £150 (1k Challenge).

Thank you very much for considering to fundraise for our amazing charity partner.

The ballot for Marathon 10k and the Half Marathon 5k places will close 11:00pm Tuesday 1 April 2025, with the ballot results announced as soon as possible after that date.

If you were successful in the ballot you will be notified and payment taken.

If you were unsuccessful in the ballot, your payment will NOT be taken and you can still enter the Marathon 10k, Half Marathon 5k, 1k Challenge or 10k Team via a HALF PRICE charity place or any available public places.

Charity places have the following fundraising asks: Marathon 10k/Team 10k £350, Half Marathon 5k £250 and 1k Challenge £150.

There is public ballot for places in the Marathon 10k. This is due to expected demand and is the fairest way of allocating places. The ballot will run to 1 April 2025. There is no difference if you enter the ballot on the first day or the last, every entrant has an equal chance. You can only enter the ballot once.

All entrants to the ballot will enter their payment details, however only successful applicants will pay. Payment will be processed on drawing the ballot (after 1 April 2025), following the ballot process being completed.

Any places with incomplete payments, the place will be voided regardless of whether they were successful or not. Please make sure your card details entered are correct and valid on entry, and will not expire before May 2025.

Yes, you can avoid the ballot and claim a guaranteed charity place immediately by:

- Claiming a Half Price charity place

- Enter the 1k Challenge or Team 10k, which are not operating ballots

A team consists of 2 members. Only one swimmer is allowed in the water at any one time, and between the team members, you complete a total of 10km. The team members swim 1km at a time. You can divide the swims up in anyway you wish - for example:

- alternative 1km, swimming 5km each

- swimming blocks of a number of 1km's each

- unequal splits - as long as the total distance swum is 10km

If a category is sold out, then you may want to consider to swim for our charity partner(s) with a charity place. If the charity place is sold out then there may not be any availability remaining and that distance is sold out.

Our first piece of advice is to make sure you have registered your interest in the event, so you'll be first to hear when places go on sale in future events. We are selling out earlier each year, so early entry is recommended.

When a distance is sold out, the only way more places can be released is if an entrant decides to cancel their place or transfer to a different distance. In either case, when the cancellation or transfer is made, this will automatically free up a place in the previously sold out category. At this point you may be able to join, if that place is still available.

Please note - as organisers we don't know when places will become available, as all transfers are completed directly by the participants.

Entries for Marathon Swims 2025 are currently OPEN. Entries close 26 October 2025 at 11pm

Entry for the public places in the Marathon 10k and Half Marathon 5k will be distributed via a ballot, which will run until 1 April 2025. Guaranteed entry to the Marathon 10k and Half Marathon 5k is possible via a charity place for Alzheimer's Society.

All other places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Entry places will be available until sold out.

Places in Marathon Swims are selling out earlier each year, so early entry is recommended.

No entry is possible on event day.

You can add a team member if you are the Captain of a Team 10k (team of 2).

As the Captain, you have already paid the entry fee for the team, so there is no need for them to pay for their entry, however they can buy additional purchases if they wish. There are 2 ways of adding a team member to your team:

1. Via your Active logon:

Log on to your Active account, Select 'Team centre', select 'Send invites', enter their email address and send the email. Please see attached image for more help.

2. Via the entry platform:

Ask your team mate to enter the event using the entry link: https://endurancecui.active.com/new/events/82257534/select-race?e4p=b6d97af9-9a9f-43b5-b972-129bab9fccde&e4ts=1660552135&e4q=30d03341-85ad-4b46-a378-68f1c4b56a03&e4c=active&e4e=snawe00000000&e4h=55802db68a29e9ac3dbbc6e076aec243&e4rt=Safetynet&error=login_required&state=2cfae003-13a0-479a-b1e3-2988af95e7e3&_p=7321999892416713

There you will see an option for a Team member (pre-paid) £0.00. Select this and they can register for themselves just like the normal registration and search or enter your team name. If your team has a password before joining they will need to enter the password. They will not need to pay for the entry, but they can choose and pay for additional purchases/merchandise, which will be collected on the event day.

If you have forgotten the name of your team or your password, please email us and we can tell you what it is.

Yes, we have a flexible policy on transfers. You can transfer your place to a different category (subject to availability) or transfer to someone else, as long as this is completed before end of 26 October 2025. There is a transfer fee of £20. You will need to logon to your Active account to do this. Please see info above on how to do this.

If you are transferring a place in the Team 10k, you'll need to contact us on info@marathonswims.com to do so.

Transfers are only permitted via the Active login transfer tool and not be any other method.

Yes. You can change your details or transfer by simply clicking on this link - enter your password or create a new one.. From there you can transfer to someone else, transfer to another challenge, buy additional Marathon Swims merchandise or buy Wave Allocation, update your estimated completion time or change address etc. If you're having trouble logging in - please see this Guide. Please complete any changes before end of 26 October 2025

You can add merchandise or wave selections to your entry by logging into your Active account (see other FAQ tips). You have until 26 October 2025 to add any merchandise or wave selections. After this date, no further purchases can be made.

If you purchased the Active Insurance on registering for the event, then you may claim a refund from Active, if you wish to cancel your place in the event. Terms and conditions apply and all questions regarding this insurance need to be made to Active.

We do not allow any deferrals or refunds for event places. We do have a flexible policy. As well as offering the Active Insurance, you can also transfer your place to another distance challenge (subject to availability) or transfer your plan to another person. The last date to make any changes to your entry is 30 September 2025.

If you are looking to transfer your place to someone else, the responsibility is yours to find the person to take your place. We are not able to promote any potential transfers through our channels.

We understand that sometimes life gets In the way of participation sport, so we are flexible in our approach. If you have bought a place and cannot make the event or injured etc, and you cannot find anyone to transfer to, then drop us an email (at least 48 hours before the event) and we can always place you on our list to receive a guaranteed entry through a (time-limited) priority entry window and discount for next year's event.

Log in to your Active account and select 'Transfer registration'. Help to login to your account is available in this FAQ's. There is a £20 fee for all transfers. Transfers must be completed by end of 30 September 2025.

and then it will be in the hands of who you are transferring to ...

More assistance can be found on the link to Active's page here: https://support.activenetwork.com/endurance/articles/en_US/Article/Participants-Transfer-Registration-to-Someone-Else1-2?searchIn=allTypes

To logon you'll need your email and password you set for your Active registration. Please use this guide.

To login to your Active account, please click here

Start times for Marathon Swims 2025 will be communicated on or around 1 October 2025, if not before. Start times are divided between distance and swimmer speed.

Start times are calculated based on the estimated completion times from all entrants. This is to ensure a good swimming experience for all, to ensure you are swimming with other swimmers of a similar speed. After all, no one likes to constantly over take or be constantly over-taken. I general slower swimmers are placed earlier in the event with faster swimmers later in the event.

We do have a Wave Selection fee which is possible to select and purchase with your entry (or buy post entry by logging back in to your Active account). This is designed for participants travelling longer distances and for those who need to coordinate their travel with the start/finish time. However, anyone can purchase these Wave Selections. A Wave Selection enables you to know the broad range of your start time, not to select a specific time.

The waves are graded by swimmer speed, with starts ranging from 8.45-6pm. The reason we grade the waves is for swimmer experience, after all, no one wants to be constantly over taken, or constantly over take.

We do permit a few 'Wave Selection Fees' - these are designed to enable participants, who may be travelling long distances, to select a different wave. However these are limited in their availability. If you would like to purchase a wave selection, please log in to your Active account and select Additional Purchases/ Buy Merchandise. More details on how to log in to your Active account are available in these FAQ's.

We sometimes provide discount codes to certain groups. These are all time-limited and sometimes number limited. These codes will expire on the date stated. Unfortunately if you do not complete your entry by the deadline, the code will expire and your ability to use the place will be lost. No further extensions or codes are possible.

Yes you can. Spectators can pay for a Poolside Access pass or register for a free spectator pass (no poolside access). The free spectator passes will be launched later in the year.

Anyone wanting to spectate who has not registered, they will need to access the building via the main centre reception.

We do not offer any refunds or deferrals.

We have a flexible policy which enables participants to transfer their place to someone else or to another distance (within a time period).

If you wish to be able to claim a refund, we recommend that you purchase the Active Insurance on entering the event.

If you are not able to take part this year, let us know and we can always place you on our list of people to receive a priority entry period and discount for next year's event.

No refunds are possible for additional purchases, as we pre-order the items.

However, in the case of spectator passes, if you no longer want them, and if you get in contact with us and request a refund with more than 8 weeks prior to the event, then we will refund the cost of the spectator passes, minus £1.50 per place admin fee.

- We recommend getting to the venue at least an hour before your specified Race Start Time. This is so you can register, collect your chip, warm up and prepare yourself for an amazing challenge. Please be aware that even though the session starts at a particular time, different participants will have different start times within that wave.

Warm ups in the pool are not possible, however you can purchase a swim session at the LAC reception for their training pool, if you do want to warm up swimming or swim down.

Any merchandise bought by participants who do not attend the event will be posted (after the event) to the address given in the registration. Please check your address is correct and up to date in the lead up to the event day.

1. Start times will be communicated a month out from the event.

The start times for Marathon Swims are arranged based on your estimated completion time (entered at time of registration). It is important, for the enjoyment of all, to ensure that swimmers of similar speeds are placed in the same wave, as we know it can be frustrating if participants are continually overtaken or need to overtake.

The start times of waves are set to enable a consistent flow of participants throughout the event. Start times on both event days vary between 8.30am and 6pm. The slower swimmers (regardless of distance) have earlier starts, the faster swimmers have later starts. There was an option for a limited number of people to select a start wave in registration (subject to availability).

We operate individual starts - not all swimmers can start at exactly the same time. Participants for each start wave line up in race number order (lowest first) and begin their challenge when instructed to do so by the Race Team.

Active Refund is paid for insurance offered at entry (only). This insurance is operated solely by Active Networks and Marathon Swims does not have any sight of who has or hasn't purchased the insurance.

To make a claim, please visit the Active website.

- There is limited car parking space at London Aquatics Centre and will be on a first come first served basis. Parking charges vary from around £2 to over £20 depending on length of stay. Buy your parking tickets inside the venue, as they may be cheaper. There is additional parking available at Westfield Stratford nearby.

We recommend taking public transport, where possible.

Parking on the day may be busier than normal due to West Ham playing at home at 3pm on the day of the event.

- Your Race Pack includes a wristband, race tattoos and any Marathon Swims merchandise you have purchased with your entry. You will also collect a timing chip specifically for you at registration.

- Yes you can but not in the Competition Pool or the diving pool. If you wish to warm up or swim down by swimming, please go to the main centre reception, where you will be able to purchase a session swim in the training pool. Please be aware that the Training pool is likely to be very busy between 11am and 3pm. There will be a charge payable to the centre for this. The Training pool closes at 7pm on a Saturday.

- Yes, participants have their own water table in the Transition area enabling you to take on your vital fluids and fuel as needed between each kilometre swum. We recommend you bring your own (distinctive - so they're easy for you to identify) water bottles with water/energy drinks that you usually use. Water to top up your water bottles will be available

​

- No energy bars or gels are provided. If participants wish to bring their own they are welcome to. It is recommended to attach any bars/gels to your water bottle. No boxes or items other than a water bottle and a few gels/bars are allowed on poolside.

- Front crawl and breaststroke are the only strokes permitted. You will be asked which stroke you are likely to use on registration. The waves you are allocated in may depend on the stroke that you select. Backstroke and butterfly not permitted.

- No, swimming aids (such as pull buoys, paddles, fins etc.) are not permitted

You are allowed to wear underwater earphones, but the music needs to be set to a level where you can hear instructions of the marshals.

No Buoyancy aides, such as wetsuits, buoyancy shorts etc are permitted.

- Yes, of course. Swimcaps are not provided as part of the event, so you are welcome to wear your own cap or none at all. Marathon Swims swim caps are available to buy online (via the registration system) and you can log back in to add additional items if you wish.

- Yes, a fantatsic medal - but only for those that successfully complete their challenge. Medals are only awarded to swimmers completing their chosen distance. No other medals are available, for instance, if a Marathon 10k swimmer completed only 5k, they will NOT receive a Half Marathon 5k medal.

Yes, there is a cut off time - all swimmers need to complete their swim by 20:30 at the very latest. There is flexibility in the cut off times with the earlier waves (slower swimmers), so please make sure you add in an accurate estimated swim time when you enter (estimated swim times can be amended post entry).

The cut off times of 1 hour (1k Challenge), 2 hours 30 mins (Half Marathon 5k) and 4 hours 30 mins (Marathon 10k) only apply in the latter waves.

The awards for the Marathon Swims Hall of Fame will be generic and not be age-group based

- Yes, there are a limited number of Exclusive Poolside Access passes available to purchase on the registration system. These are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

It is also free to spectate in the seats - please see our Spectators page Free spectator passes will be available soon.

Photography and filming of the event is permitted. Filming/photography in the changing village is not permitted .

Checkout our rules and etiquette here

No buoyancy aids are permitted, this includes clothing.

Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge starts from 1 November 2024 and ends 30 November 2024. You can start whenever you like (after 1 Nov), but you must swim the complete distance of 10k, 25k or 50k within a maximum of 30 days, finishing before and submitting your results before midnight 30 Nov 2024 to earn yourself a medal.

Registration for Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge will close on Thursday 30 November 2024

Yes. The event is like a triathlon, where the longer you are in transition, the longer your overall recorded event time will be

The challenge is FREE, however if you'd like a medal sent to you, swim cap or t shirt, these can all be purchased when you enter (subject to availability).

Entry to Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge does not include the cost of attending the swimming venue – this cost is covered by the participant.

You can purchase a Marathon Swims medal (£13.95), Marathon Swims Swim Cap (£9.95), Marathon Swims t-shirt (£19.50) or a Medal and Swim Cap combo (£20.95). All prices includes postage and packaging.

International participants will need to cover additional costs of postage

The Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge is a challenge to swim a marathon distance at a venue of your choice and in your own time. Your challenge is to complete the Marathon 10k, Ultra Marathon 25k or Ultra Marathon 50k over 30 days before midnight 30 November 2024. You can complete your challenge wherever and in as many swims as you like.

Enter, record your swims and submit your final result to become a marathon swimmer. The challenge is FREE and the purchase of medals, swim caps and t shirts is optional.

You must submit your result before midnight 30 November to be included in the results.

The challenge is available to only UK based participants. The challenge must take place in the UK.

Simply enter the event, choose whether you want any merchandise or medals and start swimming and from 1 November, start recording your swims. You can enter at anytime before midnight 30 November 2024, but make sure you have enough time to complete your challenge.

Record each of your swims and be ready to upload your evidence of completion before midnight 30 November 2024. Please see details below of how to evidence your results.

You can choose to take on the Marathon 10k, Ultra Marathon 25k or Ultra Marathon 50k in the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge.

Results for the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge can ONLY be uploaded between 1-30 November 2024. Please ONLY upload your results when you have completed your challenge.

However, you can resubmit your result (before midnight 30 Nov) if you do the challenge again.

To upload your results:

-Visit the results page https://resultscui.active.com/events/MarathonSwimsVirtualChallenge2022

-Enter your registration (R) number (which you'll find on your conformation email)

-Enter the time that it took you in total to complete the challenge (enter 59:59:59 if you don't wish to be included in the results)

-Upload an image of your results (screengrab or photo)

-Submit/Go

The provisional results will show online as soon as we have checked your entry. This may take up to 48 hours.

The final results will be published online on 1 December 2024

Please remember, to be included in the results, you MUST submit your results before midnight 30 Nov.

Log in to your Active account here. You'll need your email address and password for Active

Results can be uploaded any time between 1 November and midnight 30 November 2024.

You will need your registration number (starting with 'R') and one image/screengrab of your results to submit. Only submit your results when you have completed your challenge in full.

Please see the 'How do I upload my results?' question above.

Note - you can resubmit your result any number of times. So if you complete more than one attempt at your challenge distance, you can resubmit but this must be before midnight 30 Nov 2024.

We do not have any capacity limits in each of the 3 distances on offer. However availability of some of the merchandise and the medals will be limited and based on a first come, first served basis.

The deadline for completion of the challenge and submitting your results is midnight 30 November 2024. Submissions after this time will not be included in the results.

Yes of course, we’d love for you to raise money for charity – especially our amazing partner charity Alzheimer's Society.

You can fundraise for any charity, so please let us know on your entry form who you will be raising money for and how much you’d like to raise (don’t worry you’re not committing to raise this much, we’d just like an idea of how much you think you could raise)

The Virtual Challenge is not a single-venue event, it is a challenge that you take on in your own time at your chosen venue.

We suggest you tell as many people as possible that you’re doing the challenge; share on social media, ask for fundraising if you can and buy a medal and Marathon Swims Swim Cap to show that you’ve completed the challenge.

You can swim in any UK pool or any UK swimming venue you wish. And you can mix it up.

It may help your to book your swims in advance. You will need to pay for each swim - our challenge is FREE but your will need to pay for your swims in the normal way.

You could swim your virtual challenge in open water, however we do not recommend this unless you are a very experienced cold water swimmer and swimming at a managed location with the necessary safety provisions in place. Each open water swim would also need to be very shorter than a typical pool swim due to the temperature of the water.

Record your swims in anyway you wish. Whether you record your results on a device, app or simply by recording each swim manually – you can then take a screenshot or photo of your results and upload it.

Record your distance and time.

Details on how to submit your results are in a question above.

Your R-number is on your confirmation email from when you registered. You'll need your R-number to submit your results.

We can re-send you your confirmation email, so please email us info@marathonswims.com if you want us to resend it.

No problem at all. Please submit your time in the normal way as 59:59:59 and we will not publish it.

Changes of distance are possible. But transferring to another person is not. The challenge is free, so there is no need to transfer places to others.

Entries and changes are only possible until midnight 30 November 2024. After this time no further distance changes are possible

Thank you for your Marathon Swims merchandise purchases. All purchases include the cost of postage. All merchandise, including medals will be sent to you following your submission of your results for your challenge.

International participants will need to cover some additional costs of postage by paying the additional fee in additional purchases.

Please note - Medals cannot be sent until your results have been submitted and other merchandise purchased will only be sent when we know the outcome of your swim challenge.

Results can be submitted anytime between 1 November and 30 November 2024.

You do need to complete your challenge to receive a medal.

However, if you are not able to complete your challenge, please drop us a line (info@marathonswims.com) before 30 November, so we can post to you any other merchandise you have paid for.

If you ordered a medal and did not complete your challenge or submit your result before the closing date (30 Nov), you can be sent a generic Marathon Swims medal (without the distance stated on the ribbon) - to be requested on email.

If you attempted the 50k and only completed 10k, we can send you a Marathon 10k medal, however you will not be included in the results. To be requested on email.

Click this link to take you to your Active Account:

Click on Purchase Merchandise

We will publish results (distances completed and name) regularly throughout the challenge. Results can be found here - https://resultscui.active.com/events/MarathonSwimsVirtualChallenge2024

Please let us know if you do not want to be included in the results by emailing us info@marathonswims.com

If you are not able to complete your challenge, please drop us a line (info@marathonswims.com) before 30 November 2024, so we can post to you any merchandise (not medals) you have paid for.

For medals - see below

If you ordered a medal but are unable to complete your challenge distance and submit your results before the closing date (30 November 2024), unfortunately you will not be sent your medal.

However, you do have 4 options:

1. Request a generic (non distance) medal to recognise your attempt at the challenge

2. Request a place in next year's Virtual Challenge, with a free medal

3. Or you can ask to transfer the cost of the medal to a discount in next year's live event at the London Aquatics Centre.

To request any of the above, please email info@marathonswims.com

You can purchase merchandise until 30 November 2024 (subject to availability). Please follow the steps below:

Log in to your Active account here. Select 'Purchase merchandise' and you can then add Marathon Swims swim caps or Marathon Swims t shirts to your order. This is subject to availability. If a size or type of merchandie is not available, that range will be sold out. Furture Marathon Swims events will have other merchandise for sale on entry.

If you're having trouble logging in - please see this guide.

When you have purchased additional merchanide, please also email us at info@marathonswims.com to state that you have done this, just in case your order has already been processed.

If you are not based in the UK, please do not enter the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge. Unfortunately, we are only insured for entrants based in the UK. If you are not based in the UK and you enter the virtual challenge, we will have to cancel your place. Please note that the Active fee is non refundable, if paid on entry.

The results are checked but the challenge results are based on trust.

Unfortunately not. No deferrals or refunds are permitted. However, you can transfer your place to a different distance (subject to availability)

- No, Race Packs are not sent out, but collected from the venue on Race Day. We recommend arriving at least an hour before your individual start time. The Race Pack includes a wristband, your race tattoo and any Marathon Swims merchandise you have purchased along with your entry. You will also collect a timing chip.

Bring your confirmation email (on phone or printed) and we'll sccan you when you arrive

- Race Day information, including individual start times, will be available closer to the event date (communicated on or around 1 October 2020). We will email you with all the details of your challenge but also please keep an eye on social media for updates and announcements. Start times may vary from 8am to 7pm on the event day depending on the schedule.

- You can transfer to another challenge, only if there is space in the challenge that you are transferring to. NO changes can be made after 30 September 2020. Charges apply for any change of challenge (see FAQ - Event Entry page for more details)

- Yes, your estimated completion time is an important piece of information. It ensures we are able to place swimmers in the right wave, as we try to ensure that swimmers of similar ability are together. The deadline for any changes of estimated completion time is midnight 30 September 2020. You can change your estimated completion time by logging in to your account and changing the details

- You can only change your start time (when allocated) if you have purchased Wave Selection when you entered the event. All participants are placed in waves depending on their speed and wave start times vary between 8am and 7pm on both event days. The faster swimmers have later starts.

The start times for Marathon Swims are arranged based on your estimated completion time (entered at time of registration). It is important, for the enjoyment of all, to ensure that swimmers of similar speeds are placed in the same wave, as we know it can be frustrating if participants are continually overtaken or need to overtake.

- Anyone who has a place in Marathon Swims can raise money for charity. We encourage all participants to raise money for charity, especially our partner charity Level Water

Marathon Swims; London is Saturday 12 November 2022.

- A Marathon Swim is 10k. We also have a Half Marathon Swim (5k) and a 1k Challenge Swim are available for individual swimmers. You can also compete as a team of two in the 10k Team Marathon Swim.

Marathon 10k is 200 lengths of the 50m pool, Half Marathon 5k is 100 lengths and the 1k Challenge is 20 lengths.

- The main competition pool is 50m. For the Marathon Swims event the pool will be 50m and 3m deep throughout.

- The Marathon Swims events take place in the biggest and best swimming arenas in the UK. We hope to expand the number of events we deliver in the UK. The London event is held at the venue of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Aquatic Centre, on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2020.

- Front crawl and breaststroke are the only strokes permitted. Butterfly and backstroke are not permitted.

- The start waves are decided based on swim speed (your estimated completion time). The slower swimmers are given earlier start times, faster swimmers later start times. This is to ensure a good event experience for all and to avoid too much overtaking/being overtaken. The faster swimmers starting later (on Sunday) means that the podium positions can be awarded directly to the fastest swimmers.

Please answer your estimated completion time acurately and honestly in the registration. Please also account for the transitions (likley to be 30 seconds to 1 minute per km)

- Start times will be announced around 1 October 2020. The waves you are allocated will depend on your estimated completion time that you stated in registration. Participants can buy the Wave Selection in additional purchases which enables you to select the broad start time of your swim. However, these are limited in number and only should be used by our participants who are travelling long distances.

- Yes, you can enter the 10k Marathon Swim as part of a team of two. Only one member of the team is allowed in the water at any one time. Each swimmer can swim any number of sets (1k sets) as long as the total distance swum by the team is 10k and that each swimmer has swum a minimum of 1k. There is no team option for the Half Marathon (5k) or 1k Challenge Swim events.

Thank you for your deferral last year. Unfortunately, the 2021 live event will not be taking place due to the complications of lockdowns and restrictions earlier in the year. We are really disappointed, but we’ve taken this decision after careful consideration of all the options. Unfortunately the 2021 London Aquatics Centre event is not going ahead.

However, we do have the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge 2021 event and it's FREE!

In terms of your deferred place, we have emailed all deferrals. Your options are either to:

Donate

You can donate the cost of your entry to be shared equally between our fantastic charity partners. As a thank you for doing so you’ll benefit from a priority entry window and a special discount for the live Marathon Swims event in 2022.

Here is some more information about the charities:

The Swimathon Foundation (charity reg no. 1123870) promotes the benefits to health and wellbeing of swimming through its events and activities, including the Swimathon, the world’s biggest pool based fund-raising swim, the Open Water Swimathon and Marathon Swims, as well as supporting local swimming projects, clubs and schools through its Community Grants Scheme, the School Swimathon and its two COVID Relief Funds.

Over the last year Level Water have continued to provide much-needed swimming opportunities for children with physical and sensory disabilities, enabling them to join group swimming lessons or their local club (charity reg no. 1151510).

Defer

You can defer your place to Marathon Swims in 2022 which is planned to take place in the autumn at the London Aquatics Centre. Marathon Swims 2022 will launch soon. By deferring, you are guaranteeing your place in the event next year.

Refund

You can request a refund of your Entry Fee. This does not include the Active Registration Fee or the Active Refund Fee. Refund payments will be received in November.

To choose your preferred option - email us at info@marathonswims.com stating your full name and your preference: DONATE, DEFER or REFUND. Make sure you send your email by midnight 31

ALL FAQ's below are the FAQ's from 2020:

You can DONATE the entry cost of your place to our charities: Level Water and the Swimathon Foundation, DEFER your place to Marathon Swims 2021 or claim a refund.

DONATE - gives the value of your entry to charity, but you also receive a priority entry window and discount code for Marathon Swims 2021

DEFER - you will receive a time-limited code to enter Marathon Swims 2021 when it is launched

REFUND - you will receive your refund payment in November 2020

Please log into your Active account to select your choice before midnight on 31 October 2020. Please be aware that the Active Registration Fee and any Active Refund payments are non-refundable. In the case of teams, the Captain of the team needs to request a refund.

We cannot accept any submission of choice or change of choice beyond midnight 31 October 2020.

Please do NOT activate your Active Refund, if you purchased this, as it is invalid if the event is cancelled.

Whatever you decide, please do enter the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge - it's FREE

Unfortunately not. We made the decision not to stage Marathon Swims in 2020 on 22 September 2020 and we have communicated this to our participants. There are a number of options for participants to choose from, please see the questions below.

Marathon Swims will return in 2021. Make sure you hear first about Marathon Swims 2021 register your interest here.

We are hosting the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge - swim a Marathon 10k or Ultra Marathon 25k throughout November 2020 and claim your marathon swimming super-cool medal. LImited places, so enter today.

NO! If you took out Active Refund - DO NOT claim on it. The Active Refund terms and conditions state that if an event is cancelled, the Active Refund is no longer valid. If you wish for a refund, please follow our instructions so we can refund you.

Once you have cancelled your place through Active Refund, your registration disappears and we are not able to refund you!

If you have any questions about Active Refund, please check with us first - info@marathonswims.com

You can select your preferred option by simply clicking on this link - enter your password or create a new one.

Select 'Edit Registration' to go back into your original registration. We have added a new question for you to answer, which is after the main name and address questions. This extra question must be answered before midnight 31 October 2020.

If you're having trouble logging in - please see this guide.

You can also email us your choice before midnight 31 Oct 2020 - info@marathonswims.com

All non-responses will forfeit their place in Marathon Swims and no deferral, donation or refund will be available after midnight on 31 October 2020 in any circumstances.

Please check your inboxes and junk folders for our emails reminding you to make your choice.

You also cannot change your choice after midnight 31 October 2020.

When registration opens for Marathon Swims 2021, you will have 28 days from the launch of Marathon Swims 2021 to confirm your place in the event. You will receive a code providing the value of your entry paid for in 2020 and including any other fees paid eg wave selection fee, spectators etc. ITab fees will not be included, but we're working with them to find out what is possible.

Any merchandise you purchased from Marathon Swims 2020 (Swim caps and t shirts) will be sent to you free of charge this year.

Please also join us for the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge in November - It's FREE.

Firstly, we’ll send you a massive THANK YOU! You will also receive a priority entry window and a special discount code for Marathon Swims 2021. The priority entry window and discount code will be time-limited.

We will also post any merchandise (Swim caps and t shirts) to you free of charge upon your DONATION request.

We will also provide you with a special discount code to enter the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge and receive a medal - free of charge.

If you donated your place or deferred, we will post the merchandise (Swim caps and t shirts) to you free of charge. These items should arrive with you by end of November 2020.

For deferrals, any purchases of wave selection or spectators will be included in your deferred place for Marathon Swims 2021.

If you claimed a refund you can choose to either not to receive the merchandise purchased or receive your merchandise in the post minus a £4.50 post and packaging fee. If you selected for the merchandise to be sent to you, this will be delivered to you around the end of November 2020.

If you choose to request a refund, then your entry fee will be re-paid. The Active Registration Fee and any Active Refund payments are non-refundable. If you purchased merchandise (t-shirts and swim caps), these items will be posted to you – a £4.50 post and packaging charge will apply. Please do consider deferring or donating your entry if you are able, as it will help us support the event for future years. Purchases of wave selection and spectators will also be refunded. Purchases of iTabs cannot be refunded.

Refund payments will be made in November 2020.

Please do join us for the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge in November - it's FREE.

Any transfer fees paid are not refundable

If you purchased Active Refund DO NOT activate this insurance. The Active Refund insurance is invalid of the event is cancelled or postponed. If you wish to get a refund (whether you paid for Active Refund or not) please request it to us via the additional question in your registration before midnight 31 October 2020.

Please see Active’s terms and conditions. Active Refund payments are non-refundable. If you have any questions regarding Active Refund, please direct them to Active.

No, entries for Marathon Swims 2020 are now closed.

Please register your interest for Marathon Swims 2021

Entries to the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge 2020 are open. The challenge is throughout November and it's FREE.

The deadline for completing the question (to select Donate, Defer or Refund) on your Active registration is midnight 31 October. We will then be actioning all of the refunds requested. This process should be completed by end of November 2020, but if we are able to refund earlier we will do so. We will update you with more information closer to the time.

Any purchases of iTabs will not be included in the refund, as your iTab payment was paid directly to them. We are currently in discussions with them.

Unfortunately we are not able to issue any refunds for iTabs as this money is not paid to us. The fees for iTabs are paid directly to iTabs (My Sporting Times). We are discussions with them and have requested that refunds for iTabs are made directly to you.

- Yes, each Marathon Swimmer has a chip which provides accurate and instant results. You will also have 1k split times so you can see your progress over the course of the challenge and you will also see the length of time spent out of the pool in transition (between each kilometre). The event operates like a triathlon, so your transition times are included in your overall event time.

- The pool is divided into 10 lanes. Marathon Swimmers start in Lane 1 and swim up and back the lane. On returning to the starting end, Marathon Swimmers move up to Lane 2 to swim up and back, repeating this until reaching the end of Lane 10 and completing a set (1km). Having swum up and down each of the 10 lanes, exit the pool, travel along the side to start your next kilometre.

Checkout our explainer video

- Yes, overtaking is very much part of the event. There is two-way lane traffic in each of the lanes, so the overtaking swimmer needs to ensure it is safe to proceed with the manoeuvre and overtake on the left hand side. There is no overtaking in the final 5m of the lane in the end where you change lanes.

Checkout our Marathon Swims rules and etiquette

- Yes, diving and tumble turns are permitted. It is the responsibility of each swimmer to ensure it is safe to enter the water in lane 1 (dive, use steps, jump or slip in) and safe when turning and overtaking

Tempo Trainers are allowed, but they must be securely positioned under your swim cap (not supplied).

Pull buoys, any form of floatation device (including bouyancy shorts) or propulsion equipment (eg fins, paddles etc) are not allowed

- Yes, a Marathon Swim is a very long distance and breaks are encouraged. You will have access to your fuel and fluids on the poolside and even your mobile phone if you wish, so you can keep your supporters, sponsors and friends updated on your progress mid-swim. You can rest out of the water as long as you want, however the time will be included in your overall completion time.

If you need to rest in the water, that is fine but we encourage you to rest at the end of a lap and position yourself away from swimmers turning

- You will need to speak to one of the Marshals, who will inform the Race Director of your intention to retire from the race. For any early retirement, a DNF (Did Not Finish) will be recorded.

- Yes, there is a time limit for completion, as with most endurance events but these only apply to the later (faster) waves in the event day. All swimmers must be finished by 8pm. If you think that this is not possible based on your start time, please contact us.

For the later (faster) waves - Marathon Swim (10k) time limit is 5 hours, Half Marathon Swim (5k) time limit is 2 hours 30 minutes and the time limit for the Challenge Swim (1k) is 1 hour. The times may be challenging, so be sure to enter an appropriate estimated completion time in registration. Your estimated completion time will determine which wave you are placed in.

- Entry prices range from £27.50 to over £100 depending on the challenge and when you enter. Prices increase the closer we get to the event. We recommend you dive in now and claim your place before they sell out or increase.

There is an Active processing fee (£1 plus 5% of the total payment) for all entries on top of the entry fees quoted. The Active fee is non-refundable.

- There are a limited number of places in the event and demand is expected to exceed supply, however we are not currently operating a ballot system. Public places are available initially, charity places may also be available but both are subject to availability.

- We do have cut off times but these are only applied in the later (faster waves) and a total of 9 hours (for the early wave only). We allocate your start waves based on your estimated completion times to help ensure everyone is swimming with swimmers of similar abilities. All participants must be finished by 8pm

If you are in a faster (later) wave the cut off times are:

Marathon 10k (team and individual) - 5 hours

Half Marathon 5k - 2.5 hours

1k Challenge - 1 hour

- Yes, you need to be a minimum of 18 years by the event date. If you are currently 17, but 18 by the time of the event, you can enter, but you will need your parent/guardian to enter on your behalf. There is a selection at the start of the registration process enabling you to "register for someone else under 18"

Both days will involve a range of swimming abilities and distances (who are in our separated into waves depending on their estimated completion times). However if you're swimming for our charity partner Level Water we recommend that you swim on Saturday 7 Nov, and if you are a fast swimmer (in any category) we recommend that you enter for the Sunday 8 Nov. Awards of the podium place medals will be on Sunday 8 Nov and cover the whole weekend. Podium positions are not awarded by the day, but by event.

- Yes, simply click on this link and enter your password. From there you can buy additional Marathon Swims merchandise, update your estimated completion time or change address etc. If you're having trouble logging in - please see this guide.

- Start times will be communicated to participants on or around 1 October 2020. The start times may vary between 8am and 7pm and depend on the schedule of the event. Please make sure you are available the whole day.

- If you have purchased the Wave Selection - you can select the broad time that you will start. You will be placed in a wave that is for your distance. There are typically three waves throughout the day for each distance challenge.

- All start times are allocated (between 8am and 7pm) according to your estimated completion time that you submit on entering the event. You will be allocated a wave according to your swimming speed. It is only possible to choose your start time by paying the Wave Selection Fee in additional purchases. You can log in to your account and pay this, if you have not already done it and wish to select your wave. Please be aware that by selecting a different wave, you are likely to be competing with swimmers of different abilities. Wave Allocation to a later wave will not be possible if the estimated completion time of the swimmer means that the likely completion time exceeds 8pm.

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If you purchase the Wave Selection - this means you are able to choose the broad time of your wave start (i.e. before 10am, between 10.01am and 1.30pm and between 1.31pm and 6.30pm). The idea of this is to enable participants who are travelling long distances to be able to plan their travel ahead of time. There are a limited number of Wave Selections available, the reason for this is that the event does need to ensure the majority of swimmers in each wave are at the appropriate speed/standard for that wave. The Wave Selection option is one a first come, first served basis.

- You can change your details or transfer by simply clicking on this link - enter your password or create a new one. From there you can transfer to someone else, transfer to another challenge (please see below for more information), buy additional Marathon Swims merchandise or buy Wave Allocation, update your estimated completion time or change address etc. If you're having trouble logging in - please see this guide.

- The Level Water charity places are sold at a 50% discount for Marathon 10k individual and Half Marathon 5k challenges on Saturday only. Discount codes are not valid for charity places.

The charity fundraising requirement for these places is £200 per place. Level Water are a fantastic charity - please click here for more details. If you select to swim for Level Water we will share your basic contact details with them, so they can support your fundraising.

All participants are allocated start times based on their swim speed (estimated completion time entered on registration). If you wish to swim in the same wave as a friend you'll need to each purchase the wave selection (in additional purchases) and choose the same broad wave start time.

If the wave selection is not available (as places are limited), then please email us info@marathonswims.com and we'll see what we can do for you.

- We have a flexible policy and you can change your challenge or event day (part of the same event). However you cannot change your entry to another Marathon Swims event or year.

You can change your challenge or event day (of the same event) but only if there is available space in the challenge you wish to transfer to. Individual entrants can transfer online. There are fees for transferring to a different challenge (£10) and to another person (£15).

All transfer fees are subject to Active Network fees (e.g. around 50p for a £10 transfer). You may need to pay the additional cost of your new selected challenge. No refunds for a lesser priced challenge are possible. If you entered the Team 10k you cannot transfer to another challenge or to another pair, but you can change one of the team members by emailing us with the information. Changes are only possible until midnight 30 September 2020, no changes will be possible after this date.

- Your place in the event must be registered to the actual participant. We do permit you to transfer your place to another swimmer but this must be completed before 30 September 2020. To transfer to another person you can do this online by logging into your account.

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Transfers are only permissible up to 30 September 2020. No changes are possible after this date. For all Transfers fees paid there is a small Active Networks transaction fee applied by our registration system hosts - this is approximately 50p for a £10 Transfer fee and payable by the participant.

- No, unfortunately not. Our terms and conditions state that no refunds or deferrals are possible for any challenge, including charity places and mechandise. However, you do have the ability to transfer (please see above). You also, at the time of entering have the ability to buy race place insurance (Active Refund - see below), which may cover you for a number of incidents which may affect your ability to take part in the event.

Active Refund is an insurance scheme that is offered at registration stage for all participants. The costs for the insurance is dependant on the cost of your race place. Claims must be made before the event (see terms and conditions).

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The ACTIVE refund terms and conditions are listed here.

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COVID19 update - Please note that from 14 March 2020, the Active Networks registration platform has stopped any new sales of the Active Refund insurance. They will honour existing insurance purchased.

- Some discount codes are offered to various groups. If you are involved with a group and you think that some of your members would be interested in entering Marathon Swims with you - please drop us a line to and we'll see what we can do.

Discount codes cannot be retrospecitively applied under any circumstance.

- Thank you for purchasing some great Marathon Swims merch. All merchandise will be available for collection on event day.

The Marathon Swims SPRING SPRINTS is the season-opener for the outdoor swimming season on Saturday 2 April 2022. Hosted at the newly refurbished and heated Hillingdon Lido, the event is a chip-timed 1k Challenge. One entry fee may be able to cover multiple attempts (subject to availability). Enter today

Firstly, checkout charity places, as they may have some places available in the event even though the public places have sold out.

Sometimes a sold out category can become available This occurs when a participants who had entered in that category decides to transfer their place to another category. If the transfer is made then this will free up one place in the previously sold out category. If this occurs then the available place is sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Unfortunately there is no way of predicting when this situation may occur. So if you want to enter a sold out category, it may help to check the availability of places every now and again.

Entry is online only - all entries need to be completed by 11pm 31 March 2022.

Enter here

SPRING SPRINTS is £25 to enter - which includes multiple attempts at t he distance (subject to availability). The entry fee also covers a medal. Additional Marathon Swims merchandise can be purchased with your entry or after entry (if before 24 March 2022)

There are changing cubicles on poolside. There are also showers and toilets on poolside

We ask all participants to arrive 20 mins before the start time of your chosen wave. You can swim until 2pm, which means you can swim in more than one session (if you entered the 10am, 11am or 12pm waves).

After your first 1km time trial, to swim again, all you need to do is re-visit the registration marquee and get allocated another number. Please take note of all numbers allocated, as these will all be displayed individually in the results.

You can swim the 1km challenge as much as you would like (subject to availability)

Hillingdon Lido is an 8 lane, 50m pool. Participants cross the start chip mat and begin swimming in Lane 1. Swim up and down Lane 1 twice, move into Lane 2. Swim up and down Lane 2 twice and move into Lane 3.

From Lane 3 to Lane 8 - swim up and down once before moving to the next lane. On completion of 20 laps/lengths, exit the water and cross the chip mat for your time and medal.

If you wish to have another attempt, you will need to re-register with our team at the event (no fee payable) and be assigned a new number.

Yes there is parking. It is pay and display and you may need cash. You can't get any change at the centre as it is cash-less. No evidence of any parking apps in use at this location

Parking charges: £1.05 for 1 hour

£2.05 for 2 hours

£2.85 for 3 hours

£5.05 for 4 hours

You have until 31 March 2022 to change your details online. Log into you Active account and amend any details required.

Yes, you can transfer your place to another start time (eg 10am, 11am, 12pm or 1pm) or to another person. Any transfers need to be completed before 11pm 31 March 2022 and are subject to a £5 transfer fee

Yes, you can add merchandise to your entry (at time of entry) or log back in at a future time to buy merchandise.

Merchandise will be available until 30 September 2024

You will need swimming costume, goggles, towel... but also a DryRobe (or similar) or warm clothing for between your swims. Dry change of clothes. Water and snacks - please bring a large, full water bottle which is distinctive, so you can easily identify it.

Please also bring with you your confirmation email and phone for some great poolside pics.

You will need £1 coin for the lockers and change for parking

Yes, your one entry fee covers as may attempts at the distance as you want (subject availability). If after your first 1km swim you would like to have another attempt, simply go back to registration, get assigned a new chip and start again. Each of your times will be recorded and assigned to you.

Your results will be live immediately. Please visit our results page - https://resultsbase.net/event/6274/results

If you swam more than once, you will be able to see each time recorded. Please search for your name or number

Yes, all participants completing the challenge will be awarded a medal. If yo have multiple attempts at the distance, you will only get one medal. The medals are awarded after your last swim.