~ The Cuillin Ridge, Isle of Skye, May 2006 - my first "swimrun"? ~

~ Mike's first World Series Event - Adidas TERREX Adventure Race, Scotland 2012 ~

~ Achill Island, Co Mayo. Mike's spiritual home ~

Through a combined love of "wild" swimming,  and adventures in the great outdoors I came across the swimrun race format. I loved it.

The first race I took part in was OtillO's Uto in Sweden (there were no swimrun races in the UK in 2014) I was immediately hooked.  

I had competed in triathlons before but, although a great sport, I generally find them a little dull unless they are off road or the weather kicks in. I had competed in multi-day expedition races which were especially challenging and rewarding but require a lot of kit-faff and logistics. For my first swimrun we just turned up with wetsuit, trainers and goggles. I learnt a lot through starting simple and minimal, in every race since I have learnt something new.

During this period I was working as a Senior Instructor at The Outward Bound Trust. It was very apparent how engaged our young groups, from all walks of life, became during jog and dip, swim, and jetty jump activities. This is what swimrun is - engaging, challenging and a fabulous shared experience. The wilder the experience, the more engaged you become. 

The WE in WESWIMRUN comes from the fact that you do it in teams of two. Although there are some solo swimruns, in its best and original format swimrun is done together. The tougher the race, the more valuable your partner becomes. 

I've since set up Aberdovey Swim, Tal Y Llyn Swim and CADAIR X. Among other things I am working on a new epic swimrun route...

~ Mike Alexander, founder of WESWIMRUN