the swimmer - all you need to know.
Route: a run from Hampstead to Herne Hill through London’s finest ponds and parks.
We swim at the Serpentine and while it is not essential to be a member to take part in The Swimmer, you may want to consider joining the Serpentine Swimming club. It’s only £20 for the whole year so well worth it. Join here.
Start: is 7am prompt - just down from Hampstead Tube station. Usually outside Ole and Steen but just look out for the crowd and the Zip Transit Van. There is a loo at the start, just down from the van at the meat market and loos at all swims. But always best to try to go before you arrive!
Finish: is Brockwell Lido at around 11 to 11.30am.
Distances and speeds
Above (on land): it’s around 13miles of running, half a marathon. But it feels like around 10km with the stops and cold dips. We stay together to the Serpentine and then split into one or a few groups for the final run - to accomodate the different pace of runners.
Below (in the water): it’s winter, the swims are one or two lengths at most. Dips really.
Kit: we have the Zip van that will transport all your stuff from start to finish and the van is there at each swim for you to change, grab stuff (some folks like a dry swimming costume for every dip). It’s a good idea to bring one bag with your stuff for the end that you can just chuck in the back of the van.
Then you need one small 20l pack for the start to run with to the first swim - this has your swim stuff and maybe a layer, hat, gloves in it for when you are on the move. You can dump this in the van after the first two swims if you wish but the purist likes to keep it with them.
Food and water situation:
We have snacks in the van - Tunnocks caramel wafers, bananas. But we’re cutting down on plastic water bottles. So please bring your own water bottle to fill up along the way (there are taps at all the swims).
The route, timings and guides:
7.15 am - we run from the start over Hampstead Heath to The Ponds for the first dip. Then onto the Lido (if we have time) for a second dip.
8.15am - from Hampstead we run 4 miles over Primrose Hill, through Regent’s park, down Baker street and through to Hyde park and the Serpentine.
9.15am swim at the Serpentine, have a bit of cake, drink and get ready for the final leg to South London.
9.45am - set off out of for the 6 miles to South London. Through Hyde Park, down to Sloane Square, across Battersea Bridge, up to Clapham Common and through Brixton to Herne Hill park and Brockwell Lido.
11.30am - breakfast is served. Usually at the poolside cafe or Prince Regent pub with coffee and bacon butties (veggie options possible).
Volunteer guides:
We always have a few Swimmer regulars who will act as guides, lead groups on the route. We tend to try to stay as one big group to the Serpentine and then split into fast / medium and slow for the final leg to Brockwell. We make sure no swimmer is left behind. And there are normally at least half of the group on the day who know the route. So you won’t be alone.
Any big queries - we’re on hello@abovebelow.sc