The time has come… 7am Saturday morning. It’s dark. It’s cold. A group of brave pioneers gather outside Hampstead Tube station. There’s only one reason to be up so early – it’s the inaugural Swimmer!
What better to way to start the weekend than leaping off a diving board? The first swim of the Swimmer is at Hampstead Men’s Pond. A quick circuit of the Pond, dodge a few ducks, then we race off to Parliament Hill Lido. The Lido feels colder than the Ponds – maybe it is the spage-age steel lining. A couple of lengths and just enough time for a quick hot shower before we’re off again, running up Primrose Hill and across Regent’s Park to Baker Street. We dodge the tourists outside Sherlock Holmes’ house, then on to Marble Arch and across Hyde Park to the Serpentine. If Parliament Hill Lido was cold then the Serpentine feels proper brass monkeys. After racing a few swans we fuel up on biscuits and bananas for the last leg to Tooting.
What better to way to start the weekend than leaping off a diving board? The first swim of the Swimmer is at Hampstead Men’s Pond. A quick circuit of the Pond, dodge a few ducks, then we race off to Parliament Hill Lido. The Lido feels colder than the Ponds – maybe it is the spage-age steel lining. A couple of lengths and just enough time for a quick hot shower before we’re off again, running up Primrose Hill and across Regent’s Park to Baker Street. We dodge the tourists outside Sherlock Holmes’ house, then on to Marble Arch and across Hyde Park to the Serpentine. If Parliament Hill Lido was cold then the Serpentine feels proper brass monkeys. After racing a few swans we fuel up on biscuits and bananas for the last leg to Tooting.
The route weaves through the backstreets of Belgravia to Chelsea Bridge and into Battersea Park. After a slog up Queenstown Road we are in open space again as we cross Clapham Common, and then we’re on the home stretch to Tooting. A sprint finish to the gates of Tooting Bec Lido and then the final swim before some well-deserved tea and toast.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the first ‘Swimmer’. Three and a bit hours, four amazing swims and nearly a half marathon – hope your legs are starting to recover!
Thanks to everyone who took part in the first ‘Swimmer’. Three and a bit hours, four amazing swims and nearly a half marathon – hope your legs are starting to recover!
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