29 August 2015
A record number of swimmers took the plunge at Loch Lomond today (29 August) to take part in Scotland’s biggest open water swimming event, the Great Scottish Swim.
Around 2,600 participants - from first time open water swimmers to World Champion elites – dived into the challenge, in what has firmly become one of the most iconic and scenic swims in the UK open water events calendar.
For the very first time, the event played host to the national one-mile open water championship race in partnership with Scottish Swimming. The extremely competitive men’s race which included 2014 Commonwealth Champion and local Balloch boy Ross Murdoch and fellow Scot, Commonwealth silver medallist and World Champion Robbie Renwick, saw Christian Riechert win in a time of 18:05:06 closely followed by Tom Allen in a time of 18:08:53 with Chad Ho placing third in a time of 18:17:96.
The women’s race also featured an impressive line-up, including two time National USA 10KM Champion, Christine Jennings alongside two time World Champion, and Olympic Silver medallist, Team GB’s Keri-anne Payne. Christine Jennings took first place in a time of 20:45:58 with Keri-anne Payne coming in a very close second in a time of 20:45:98 and Anna Olasz placing third in 20:47:16.
Now in its third year at Loch Lomond shores, the event brought together swimmers of all ages and abilities to take part in the half mile, one mile and two mile challenges in the open water. For the first time a gruelling 5k ‘half-marathon’ swim was also added to the timetable.
Alex Jackson, Great Swim Series event director said, “It has been an incredible day from start to finish, from the masses of people taking part to the exciting elite race and true talent to grace the shores today. There’s nothing quite like seeing thousands of people take to the water in such a striking location as Loch Lomond, and I’m sure it’s an experience that everyone participating in will never forget.
“The Great Scottish Swim continues to shine as one of the key swimming events in the UK, and we are extremely grateful for all support from everyone involved to make this event such a huge success.”
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Chief Executive, Gordon Watson said, “What a fantastic day with a record number of swimmers taking part. It’s great to see the continued growth in open water swimming in the National Park as we head towards hosting the open water competition at the European Swimming Championships in 2018. The Great Swim continues to attract new visitors to the area, benefitting the local economy and raising the profile of this magnificent destination.”The event is part of Great Swim, Europe’s biggest open water swimming series, which gives over 20,000 participants the opportunity to swim in lakes, lochs and urban docks across the UK including; the Great North Swim at Windermere, Cumbria, the Great East Swim at Alton Water, near Ipswich, the Great Manchester Swim at Salford Quays and the Great London Swim at the Royal Victoria Dock.
Ends.