Report by Angela Jackson

Race Date: Sunday 21^st September 2025

Three Striders (I think) were taking part in Swimrun Coniston, myself, Andy Rowland, and Michael Pearson.

Gritty Rascals run the Swimrun Coniston event and offer three race options:

• Full (45km, ascent 1050m, including 6.5km of swimming)
• Gritty (21.5km, ascent 464m, including 3km of swimming)
• Sprint (15km, ascent 376m including 1.9km of swimming).

The distances and ascent are approximate and the Sprint distance had to change at the last minute due to flooding (it should have been more like 13km).  All options finished in Grasmere village, start points:

• Coniston for the Full
• Braithwaite Hall, High Sawry for the Gritty (west of Windermere)
• Outgate (somewhere west of Windermere but further North!).

The routes took you from your start to Grasmere via some beautiful countryside along trails, over fells and in the waters of Coniston(Full only), Windermere, Rydal Water, and Grasmere.

View of Windermere from Loughrigg

Climb up to top of Loughrigg

You could take part as a solo entrant or as a ‘team’ – two people.  I entered the Gritty as a solo and Andy and Michael entered the Sprint as a team.  We were doing this event due to our links with Sheffield Triathlon Club, and there were about 20 Tri club members taking part in either the Sprint or Gritty. For most, Swimrun was a new challenge as you have to take all your gear with you – swim in your running shoes and run in your wetsuit.

Mandatory equipment:

• Suitable footwear
• A wetsuit suitable for temperatures of 10 degrees C
• A whistle
• A reusable cup or flask – must be genuinely reusable, ie no paper cups

 Solo athletes also had to have:

• An inflated and brightly coloured tow float.

The organisers provided number bibs and hats.

The preceding week had seen a massive amount of rain fall in the Lake District.  This resulted in flooding, some muddy and slippy trails and really cold water in the lakes.  The water temperature of Lake Windermere was 13 degrees.  Rydal Water and Grasmere were noticeably colder.

Swimming in Windermere

Running over the fell

Fortunately, on the day of the event the sun was shining and it was a crisp, clear day with blue skies.  Great running weather, a bit chilly for swimming outdoors.

Gritty Course
Run 1:                   2.6km (Run from Braithwaite Hall to Lake Windermere)
Swim 1:                0.92km (swim to Bass How)
Run 2:                   3.55km (Run to High Wray Bay)
Swim 2:                0.23km (swim across bay to Epley Point still in Windermere)
Run 3:                   1.5km (run to Fisherty How)
Swim 3:                0.7km (swim across bay to Brock Crag still in Windermere)
Run 4:                   6.57km (run over Loughrigg fell to Steps End at Rydal Water)
Swim 4:                0.41km (swim up Rydal Water to Jobson Close)
Run 5:                   2.12km (run to Baneriggs, Grasmere)
Swim 5:                0.78km (swim up Grasmere to Red Bank)
Run 6:                   1.65km (run to Grasmere for the finish line).

The Sprint course had an initial 3.9km run then joined Gritty at Fisherty How, so their first swim was the Gritty swim 3.

The Full course had 3 swims in Coniston, runs in between, before running over to Braithwaite Hall to pick up the Gritty course.

There were manual checkpoints en-route, where marshals noted your number. Apparently, there was a big board at HQ with a marker for each athlete being moved as you were recorded at a checkpoint.

There were feed stations where you could make use of your re-usable cup (there were two on the Gritty course – the second had a much better selection of food and I was glad that I had a couple of gels of my own as well).

Memorable moments

• We were bussed to the start from Grasmere along tiny roads. (The car with a boat on a trailer did not enjoy reversing.)
• First run had a sneaky hill to start.
• First swim seemed hard and I thought I would just give up!
• Meeting STC team Scrambled Legs at the end of swim 1 and realising we all had wobbly legs.
• Sticking with Scrambled Legs for the rest of the course.
• Being passed by STC team Valleys Wannabees on every run then passing them in the swim.
• Numb feet – my feet were numb with the cold for most of the course so I was really careful on the rocky and rough terrain, especially clambering over Loughrigg.
• The climb up Loughrigg fell and amazing views at the top.
• Bio-security – being jet washed between Windermere and Rydal Water.
• Running in the woods with the autumn colours. Running on trails with stunning scenery all around.
• Cold but enjoyable swim in Rydal Water.
• Cold but tired swim in Grasmere – were we ever going to get to the end?
• Final run into Grasmere – 1.5km of knowing I was going to finish.
• Bio-security – trying to stand on one leg whilst a volunteer scrubbed the soles on my shoes
• Finding loads of grit in my shoes that I hadn’t noticed when running – my feet really were numb.
• Hot showers.
• Scrambled Legs and Valleys Wannabees making it a great day.

Full results here.

Andy and Michael finished the Sprint in 2 hours 41 minutes and 59 seconds and were 1^st male team. Well done!

I was really happy to complete the Gritty in 4 hours and 56 seconds (13^th female solo and the only one over 60!). For me, it was just about finishing!

Ang on the wet trails