Question 1

When is the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge starts from 1 November and ends 30 November. 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 to earn yourself a medal.

Registration for Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge will close on 30 November.

Question 2

How much is it to enter the Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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 (£14.95), Marathon Swims Swim Cap (£9.95), Marathon Swims t-shirt (£24.50) or a Medal and Swim Cap combo (£19.95). All prices includes postage and packaging.
 
International participants will need to cover additional costs of postage

Question 3

What is the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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. 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.

Question 4

How do I enter the Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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, 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. Please see details below of how to evidence your results.

ENTER here

Question 5

What distances challenges are available?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

How do I upload my results?

Accepted Answer

Results for the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge can ONLY be uploaded between 1-30 November. 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/MarathonSwimsVirtualChallenge2025 
-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

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

Question 7

How do I login to my Active account? (to change address, contact numbers etc or buy more merchandise)"

Accepted Answer

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

To login to your Active account, please click here

Question 8

When do I upload my results?

Accepted Answer

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

Results:
https://resultscui.active.com/events/MarathonSwimsVirtualChallenge2025

Question 9

Are there capacity limits in any of the challenge distances?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

When is the deadline for completing the challenge and submitting results?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

Can I fundraise for charity in the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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)

Question 12

How will people know that I am taking on the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Where can I swim my Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

How do I record my swims/results for the Virtual Challenge?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Where can I find my R-number?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

I don't want my results to be publicly available

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Once entered, can I change my Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge?"

Accepted Answer

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. After this time no further distance changes are possible

Question 18

When do I receive my Marathon Swims merchandise?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

I have paid for a medal, but I can't complete my challenge?"

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 20

How do I purchase more merchandise?

Accepted Answer

Click this link to take you to your Active Account:
 
Click on Purchase Merchandise

Question 21

When are the results published?

Accepted Answer

We will publish results (distances completed and name) regularly throughout the challenge. Results can be found here - 
https://resultscui.active.com/events/MarathonSwimsVirtualChallenge2025 
 
Please let us know if you do not want to be included in the results by emailing us info@marathonswims.com

Question 22

What happens if I am not able to complete my challenge?

Accepted Answer

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 merchandise (not medals) you have paid for.
 
For medals - see below

Question 23

I ordered a medal, but I cannot complete my challenge in time"

Accepted Answer

If you ordered a medal but are unable to complete your challenge distance and submit your results before the closing date (30 November), 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

Question 24

Can I still purchase merchandise afer entering?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase merchandise until 30 November (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 merchandise 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 merchanise, please also email us at info@marathonswims.com to state that you have done this, just in case your order has already been processed.

Question 25

Why is the Marathon Swims Virtual Challenge only available to UK based entrants?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 26

Is the leaderboard validated?

Accepted Answer

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

If you want to take part in a fully validated swimming challenge - the Marathon Swims live event at the London Aquatics Centre has fully, chip timed swimming challenge.

Question 27

Can I get a refund or defer my entry?

Accepted Answer

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

Frequently asked questions