Marathon Swims has announced a new event and charity partner. Level Water, a charity providing a fair start in sport for children with disabilities through one-to-one swimming lessons, has been named as Marathon Swims’ London official charity partner.
In addition, Sandford Parks Lido, an outdoor pool on the edge of the Cotswolds in the west of England will host a Marathon Swims event on Saturday 27 July 2019. The venue is the second Marathon Swims location and the first event outside London.
Marathon Swims is billed as the ‘London Marathon’ of swimming. The annual event hosted at the London Aquatics Centre, home of swimming during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was developed as a series. The event organising team is now seeking other 10-lane, 50m pools to host their own Marathon Swims events.
“Every major city in the world has its own running marathon, half marathon and triathlon,” said Marathon Swims founder Diccon Loy. “Cities now have the chance to host their own stand-out, accessible swimming event and we’re delighted to be working with such a fantastic venue as Sandford Parks Lido.
“We are also very excited to be working in partnership with Level Water. The charity is a highly relevant partner and provides essential support for children with disabilities. We know our participants will respond to the challenge and raise money for Level Water’s amazing work.”
“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Marathon Swims,” said Level Water Founder and Chief Executive Ian Thwaites. “Our work is critical to enable children with a disability to attain the water skills to swim 10m unaided, thus enabling them to join mainstream classes and to progress their swimming with the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers.
“Working in partnership with standout events such as Marathon Swims London will enable us to support hundreds of disabled children each year.”
Entries to Marathon Swims 2019 London and Sandford Parks Lido are now open. Participants can choose to fundraise for Level Water in the London Marathon Swims event.
The Marathon Swims event was shortlisted for Event of the Year at the BT Sport Industry Awards in 2018 and UK Active Awards 2018. The London event has sold out each year since its launch in 2017.
