2008 Great North Swim
September 2008 saw the launch of Britain’s biggest open water mass participation swimming event-The British Gas Great North Swim. On its debut last year the event attracted 2500 entrants from all over the UK and was heavily oversubscribed, reaching its entry limit within weeks.
Some of the world’s top swimmers led the elite field, including five of the six Beijing Olympic medallists: David Davies, Maarten Van der Weijden, Cassie Patten, Keri-Anne Payne and Joanne Jackson.
Speaking after his triumphant win last year, Welsh Champion David Davies said:
“The event was just amazing. To be swimming with so many people and to be cheered on by so many spectators was really impressive.”
“The setting itself is stunning, the course has been well thought out and swimmers had everything they really needed to enjoy the event.”
The British Gas Great North Swim has already been voted 5th in the Top 100 Open Water Swims in the World (posted on 10kswimmer.com, 2009).