5K
Fri 9 - Sun 11 Jun 2023 Windermere, Cumbria, UK

Great North Swim | 5K

A challenge for experienced swimmers, part of the Great North Swim Weekend - the UKs biggest open water swim event.

Get charity place
  • Fri 9 - Sun 11 Jun 2023
Brockhole on Windermere, The Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere

5K

08:00

£61

Age 16 & over

  • 5 km lake swimming

Overview

This event has something for everyone, for all ages and all abilities, whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a beginner. Choose your distance, join thousands of like-minded people and set yourself an open water challenge in the great outdoors at the UK’s biggest open water swim event.

With large screens around the event site, family and friends can watch all the action and enjoy an exhilarating, challenging and safe open water swimming weekend in the great outdoors.

Highlights

  • UK's biggest open water swimming event for over 13 years
  • Set in Windermere, England's largest lake, in the stunning Lake District
  • Dive into nature and kick-off an active summer
  • Variety of distances available for a range of ages and abilities
  • Get your free training and preparation plans when you sign up
  • Discounted charity places available here

This event is part of Great North Swim.

  • All fitness levels
  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Spectators
  • Wheelchair users

Swimmers with a disability

For safety reasons the Great Swim features dry-land sections at the start and finish of the course so may not be suitable for all swimmers.

If you would like to take part but have concerns over the suitability of the course for you please get in touch.

  • Accommodation
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Free parking
  • Restaurant
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Brockhole on Windermere, The Lake District Visitor Centre
Ecclerigg
Windermere
Cumbria
LA23 1LJ
UK

Windermere is England's largest lake at 10.5 miles long (17km), stretching from Ambleside in the North to Newby Bridge in the South. With adventure playgrounds, soft play, arts and crafts and much more, there's plenty for the whole family.

  • First aid
  • Marshals
  • No cut off time
  • Out and back
  • Wave start
  • Way markers

In the running world this would be a half marathon.

This distance is suited to experienced, confident swimmers looking to go that little bit further. A 5k swim is equivalent to around 200 lengths of a standard 25m pool. For this distance cut-off times apply: swimmers must be able to reach halfway (2500m) within 1 hour and finish within 2 hours. Generally the 5k takes in 3 laps of the standard 1 mile route.

Wetsuit policy

  • Swimmers aged under 16 will be required to wear a wetsuit.
  • Wetsuit use is optional for water temperatures of 15⁰C or above.
  • Swimmers choosing not to wear a wetsuit MUST use an approved high visibility tow float.
  • Swimmers wearing wetsuits can also choose to swim with a tow float.
  • Wetsuit hire service available.

The Great Run Company is in the process of updating its Sustainability Strategy in light of its collaborative approach and recent survey, however work to minimise the environmental impacts of their events continues, with focus on:

  • Reducing plastic
  • Reducing waste
  • Cutting carbon emissions
  • Responsible procurement

In addition, they are striving to improve performance even further by making sure that sustainability is embedded at the heart of the organisation and culture.

What's included

  • Certificate
  • Chip timing
  • Goody bag
  • Medal

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Free sign up International

WaterAid

Providing clean water and decent toilets to everyone, everywhere.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Memento
  • Pre-event training sessions

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£325

  • Age 16 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post

Entry fees

Entry fee

£61.00

The event has a big feel to it, it's great for swimmers who often have quite small fields in their races.  It's well organised, nice to do it once and in a lovely area. Pete

I cannot fault the day in the slightest the weather, scenery, supporters, staff, marshals, everything was just brilliant. I will most certainly be back, What a fantastic event this was. Al

Overall a great event, very well organised. I'll definitely be doing this race again next year. Laura

So good to do something that does so much for others and have a lot of fun along the way. Neil Osborne, WaterAid swimmer

I feel more confident, have more energy and I feel like I have something exciting to look forward to!!! Catalina Ospino, WaterAid swimmer