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2021
Fenland/Lochland/Moorland Runner Sales Events
Fenland Runner are looking forward to getting back out to support our friends and event partners in 2021.
See you all on the start line!
JUN
Sun 6th - Mustard Swimrun, Box End, Bedford
Sun 20th - Mustard Swimrun, Nene Park, Peterborough
Sun 27th - Mustard Swimrun, Grafham Water, Huntingdon
JUL
Sun 11th - Mustard Swimrun, Manvers Lake, Rotherham
Sun 18th - Mustard Swimrun, Long Eaton, Nottingham
SEPT
Sat 11th - Bog Commander, Heathylee House Farm, Buxton
Sun 26th - Mustard Swimrun, Bewl Water, Kent
See you all on the start line!
JUN
Sun 6th - Mustard Swimrun, Box End, Bedford
Sun 20th - Mustard Swimrun, Nene Park, Peterborough
Sun 27th - Mustard Swimrun, Grafham Water, Huntingdon
JUL
Sun 11th - Mustard Swimrun, Manvers Lake, Rotherham
Sun 18th - Mustard Swimrun, Long Eaton, Nottingham
SEPT
Sat 11th - Bog Commander, Heathylee House Farm, Buxton
Sun 26th - Mustard Swimrun, Bewl Water, Kent
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SWIMRUN
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May, 2020
By John Ovenden, proprietor of swimrun specialist retailer www.fenlandrunner.com. Experienced in the sports trade from sales and marketing positions with Reebok, New Balance and Ronhill. Former top class backstroker in the pool and steeplechaser on the track. 1) Similar to how triathlon started in Hawaii over a drunken bet, swimrun originated in 2002 by a few friends challenging each other to swim and run past different restaurants based on the Stockholm archipelago. By 2006 two Swedes Michael Lemmel and Mats Skort had formalised a commercial race and named it Otillo (island to island). More history can be found here. 2) Swimrun is a really suitable competition for open water swimmers and trail runners who are interested in a new challenge, or for those experienced in aquathlon, biathle or triathlon. Especially anyone who struggles to race on a bike. There are an increasing number of events now around the world and in UK including Otillo, Breca, Head Swimrun Series, Madhatter Hokey Cokey, Loveswimrun, As Keen As Mustard. 3) Distances for swimrun races vary from 5K up to 75K with multiple sections of open water swimming and multi-terrain running. For those new to the sport, I suggest try a shorter distance for your first attempt, and you can compete solo. For the longer races, you will need to find a suitable partner due to safety regulations. Full event listings can be found in the new swimrun supplement in Outdoor Swimmer Magazine. |
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4) All the equipment that a participant starts with has to be carried all the way to the finish line, meaning swimming in shoes and running in a wetsuit. There are mandatory items that you must have - for the shorter distances this will be a whistle and a collapsible cup, due to safety and environmental reasons. A waterproof first aid kit is an essential for longer races.
5) For you first swimrun, I suggest you try to borrow a swimrun wetsuit from a friend, or if you have an old triathlon wetsuit you could cut the legs and arms to make them shorter to accommodate easier running.
If the water is warm enough, you could get away with a trisuit but you will need to check for race director approval.
At races where Fenland Runner are the event retailer, we will lend a pre-booked swimrun wetsuit to first timers on the day (subject to size availability).
6) Once you have enjoyed your first race and decide to carry on swimrunning, then that is the time to buy a specific swimrun wetsuit,
which has a zip down the front for easy ventilation when running, pockets for carrying essential items, and variable neoprene thickness to accommodate both running and swimming.
Fenland Runner recommends the HEAD Swimrun Rough Shorty (Mens/Womens) as a starter wetsuit, which we consider to be a well thought out design at a competitive price, developed by the respected swimrun expert Stefan Sponer and his team.
7) As to shoes, again my advice is to originally stick to your already owned favourite trail shoes if rugged grip needed on mud or rocks,
or even road shoes with mesh uppers if the weather has been dry and there is a lot of asphalt on the course.
Do NOT drill through the soles to apparently let water out – this will just weaken the midsole and shorten the stability life of your shoes.
Water will eventually drain from your shoes naturally as you start to run.
5) For you first swimrun, I suggest you try to borrow a swimrun wetsuit from a friend, or if you have an old triathlon wetsuit you could cut the legs and arms to make them shorter to accommodate easier running.
If the water is warm enough, you could get away with a trisuit but you will need to check for race director approval.
At races where Fenland Runner are the event retailer, we will lend a pre-booked swimrun wetsuit to first timers on the day (subject to size availability).
6) Once you have enjoyed your first race and decide to carry on swimrunning, then that is the time to buy a specific swimrun wetsuit,
which has a zip down the front for easy ventilation when running, pockets for carrying essential items, and variable neoprene thickness to accommodate both running and swimming.
Fenland Runner recommends the HEAD Swimrun Rough Shorty (Mens/Womens) as a starter wetsuit, which we consider to be a well thought out design at a competitive price, developed by the respected swimrun expert Stefan Sponer and his team.
7) As to shoes, again my advice is to originally stick to your already owned favourite trail shoes if rugged grip needed on mud or rocks,
or even road shoes with mesh uppers if the weather has been dry and there is a lot of asphalt on the course.
Do NOT drill through the soles to apparently let water out – this will just weaken the midsole and shorten the stability life of your shoes.
Water will eventually drain from your shoes naturally as you start to run.
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8) I suggest you should wear a wool sock which dries quickly, and we recommend the GOCOCO brand from Sweden, who are an associated partner of the Otillo World Series.
My favourite swimrun shoes are from the Spanish outdoor brand ORIOCX, which offers two styles with great grip and drainage systems at competitive prices. Both brands are sold in the UK by www.fenlandrunner.com Also check out Vivobarefoot for their minimalist shoes, as they have been a great supporter of swimrun right from the start. 9) If you are doing a shorter distance swimrun, then I suggest you consider putting floatation aids under compression calf sleeves to give your legs more buoyancy in your shoes and allow you to still kick. If you want to swim a bit of breaststroke, this is not easy if you have a pullbuoy between your legs, and carrying a pullbuoy when running needs some practice. However, for longer distances the use of a pullbuoy is essential to be able to rest your legs whilst swimming. 10) There is other equipment to consider as you progress, and in my opinion the Danish brand SWIMRUNNERS, founded by experienced swimrunners Maj-Britt Klok and Soren Engholm, offers all you will need, stocked by Fenland Runner in the UK. Hand paddles are a serious consideration but you must build up usage starting with the smaller ones or you will get shoulder problems. When you want to start competing as a pair, you will need to find the right partner both mentally and physically, and also get used to wearing a pull cord. 11) If, like I have experienced, you come out of the water feeling a little dizzy, going from horizontal to vertical, then remember to really kick your feet hard over the last few meters in the water to better circulate your blood, keep you head up as you come out of the water, flip your goggles on to the top of your cap immediately, and look forward to stabilise yourself. 12) As you approach the next water entrance, remember to do up your front wetsuit zip and put on goggles again as so easy to forget when hectic. Also be careful if you scale down rocks on your backside that you do not snick your neoprene. In addition, please do not litter gel wrappers. In the swim, I suggest you look up from time to time or do some breaststroke to orientate yourself that you are still in line with the exit flag. If for any reason you do get into trouble in the water, shout at your nearest competitor for assistance or float on you back and whistle/wave for help. |
13) The swimrun community is about enjoying activeness in an outdoor environment, and I have found it is full of friendly people, willing to give advice.
For example, coach Jude Palmer of Run Surrey Hills is busting with knowledge and enthusiasm if you have a question about swimrun.
Swimrun UK forum and Swimrun International Community facebook pages contain a goldmine of information and contacts.
As Keen As Mustard Events race directors Nicky and Chelsey put on training sessions and kit trials at the start of the season.
14) Fenland Runner has been involved in the development of swimrun in the UK from early days.
Proprietor John met Otillo finalist Naomi Shinkins at one of the first races in the UK a few years ago at Eton Dorney rowing lake,
and she has been the chief tester of all swimrun orientated equipment that John has been able to source.
FR also supports current British Mixed Sprint Champions Piers and Claire Vallance, and sponsors the grassroots 5K series of races by As Keen As Mustard.
Fenland Runners' full range of swimrun equipment can be found here.
For example, coach Jude Palmer of Run Surrey Hills is busting with knowledge and enthusiasm if you have a question about swimrun.
Swimrun UK forum and Swimrun International Community facebook pages contain a goldmine of information and contacts.
As Keen As Mustard Events race directors Nicky and Chelsey put on training sessions and kit trials at the start of the season.
14) Fenland Runner has been involved in the development of swimrun in the UK from early days.
Proprietor John met Otillo finalist Naomi Shinkins at one of the first races in the UK a few years ago at Eton Dorney rowing lake,
and she has been the chief tester of all swimrun orientated equipment that John has been able to source.
FR also supports current British Mixed Sprint Champions Piers and Claire Vallance, and sponsors the grassroots 5K series of races by As Keen As Mustard.
Fenland Runners' full range of swimrun equipment can be found here.
SIMPLIFIED KIT GUIDE FOR SWIMRUN
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9th Jan 2021: Notes from FR John for selecting the right equipment for your ability level.
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"NEWBIE" - 5K
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"ENTHUSIAST" - 10K
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"EXPERIENCED" - 21K-40K
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"ELITE" - 40K-70K
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Check out swimrun specialist www.fenlandrunner.com
for popular brands SWIMRUNNERS equipment, HEAD wetsuits, GOCOCO socks, ORIOCX shoes.
for popular brands SWIMRUNNERS equipment, HEAD wetsuits, GOCOCO socks, ORIOCX shoes.