Registrations have opened for the award-winning Thames Marathon, a 14km swim from Henley to Marlow in South East England. The Thames Marathon forms one of four events in the Henley Swim portfolio. The organisers note that next year’s event is expected to sell out in record speed.
The event, set to take place on Sunday 16 August 2020, has become an iconic fixture in the UK outdoor swimming world. It attracts a field of 1,000 swimmers, many coming from overseas and a large proportion of whom are returning to the event having swum in previous years.
The marathon is a 14km endurance swim downstream from Henley to Marlow on a ‘beautiful stretch of the Thames’. The swim is split into four sections where swimmers exit the water at three locks (Hambledon at 4km, Hurley at 10km and Temple at 11.8km) and refuel for the next leg.
Every year the Thames Marathon reaches capacity several months before the event, with a long waiting list of swimmers wishing to take part in both the wetsuit and non-wetsuit category. In 2020, the event celebrates its 10th year, and the organisers expect it to sell out even quicker this time around.
Co-founder of Henley Swim, Tom Kean, explained, “The event has become a cult ‘must-do’ swim which we put down to the unique course and swimmers’ word of mouth. In its first year we had just 20 swimmers and since then, very quickly, it has hit capacity with a field of 1,000.”
The reputation of the Thames Marathon is further enhanced by its growing list of awards. Review website, Racecheck, has awarded the event as the top-rated swim in the UK for the last two years, based on average 4.9/5.0 ratings by swimmers taking part.
The organisers add that ‘Swimmers particularly enthuse about the stunning swim course and how well they are supported. Whether it is a competitive race or personal challenge, swimmers insist it is an open water swim bucket list event.’
