Why Some Marathons Are for Everyone

A few weekends ago my club celebrated some truly great marathon times.

Take a look at these:

• Jesper 2:16:04

• Johan 2:30:22

• Åsa 2:30:34

• Niklas 2:53:54

• Kristina 2:55:54

• Tomas 3:05:59

• Emma 3:09:14

• Anna-Lena 3:26:03

• Sara 3:26:43

• Erik 3:39:12

• Mikael 4:05:02

• Emma 4:16:53

I think you'd agree, this shows an impressive top end but also a breath to the club.

Now, here’s the twist, these aren't road marathon times. These are 10km Swim Marathon times. Yes, you read that right – time spent navigating open water, stroke after stroke, pushing boundaries in a way many might not expect.

These figures kick off a conversation I’ve been eager to share, challenging some common perceptions about endurance sports and highlighting the unique accessibility and benefits of marathon swimming.

The Water's Unique Landscape: A Different Kind of Marathon Field

One of the most striking differences between a swim marathon and its road-running counterpart lies in the participant profile. While road marathons draw a vast spectrum of athletes, from seasoned competitors to first-time runners, open water 10km swim races tend to exhibit a distinct skew towards faster times. Why is this?

It often comes down to the composition of the field: swim marathons typically feature a higher percentage of former competitive swimmers. These are individuals who grew up in the pool, honed their technique, and understand the nuances of efficiency in water from a young age. Their swimming background gives them a significant advantage, often resulting in race times that are tightly clustered at the faster end of the spectrum compared to the broader distribution you might see in a road marathon.

This isn't to say open water swimming is exclusive. Far from it! But it does mean that a significant portion of the front-of-pack (and even mid-pack) often comprises individuals with a strong foundation in the sport. This might put you off but instead think of it as creating a challenging, yet inspiring environment where excellence in water is routinely on display. Give it a try, I promise you won’t regret it.

Duration and Discipline: A Surprising Parallel

Despite the differences in the athlete pool and the medium, the sheer endurance challenge of a 10km swim marathon holds a fascinating parallel to a road marathon. For a specific percentile of performance, the total duration of the event can be remarkably similar. A 10km swim at a strong, steady pace can easily take anywhere from two and a half to over four hours, putting it squarely in the same time commitment bracket as many road marathons.

This highlights that while the skills and demands are unique, the fundamental requirements of mental fortitude, pacing strategy, and sustained effort are universal across these two endurance disciplines. Whether pounding the pavement or navigating the currents, athletes in both events must manage their energy, hydration, and psychological resilience over a prolonged period.

Diving In: Accessibility, Safety, and the Learner's Advantage

Perhaps the most compelling argument for embracing marathon swimming, especially for those new to endurance sports or seeking a different challenge, is its surprising accessibility and lower injury risk.

Many assume that a 10km open water swim is an elite pursuit, beyond the reach of average adult learners. But my club's mix of swim backgrounds and times, including some of the slower ones listed above, are a testament to the opposite. These impressive achievements come from dedicated adult learners who, through consistent training and a willingness to embrace the open water, have found their rhythm and confidence.

Consider the physical toll of a road marathon: the repetitive impact on joints, the high risk of stress fractures, shin splints, and knee issues. While running offers a fantastic cardiovascular workout, its impact-heavy nature makes it a common source of injuries for both seasoned and novice participants.

Contrast this with swimming. It's a non-impact sport, making it incredibly gentle on your joints, muscles, and connective tissues. The buoyancy of water supports your body, reducing the strain that gravity imposes during land-based activities. This significantly lowers the risk of overuse injuries, allowing for consistent training and a more sustainable long-term engagement with endurance sport. For anyone looking for a rigorous challenge that builds the body rather than breaking it down, marathon swimming stands out as an exceptional choice. It's much less likely to get you injured, offering a path to serious endurance achievements without the same physical cost.

Redefining "The Big Challenge" - Swim Smart, Run Healthy

So, if you're currently contemplating a road marathon as your next "big challenge," I encourage you to think again. The immense satisfaction and sense of accomplishment are certainly there, but consider the impact on your body. Unless you are targeting a time of 3 hours 30 minutes, or faster I would argue that you neither have the requisite skill nor fitness required for the distance. Instead, why not embrace a marathon swim? The challenge is similar, demanding the same mental grit and endurance, but your body will thank you for it with far less wear and tear.

For your running goals, focus on getting faster at shorter distances – perhaps aiming for a new personal best at your local Park Run. It's a smarter, more sustainable move that allows you to enjoy both disciplines without sacrificing your long-term health. This approach offers a powerful, injury-conscious path to endurance excellence, truly embracing the mantra of "smarter, not harder." When your 5km time is in the 22 to 24 minutes, then the move up the distances becomes a much more logical step and the swim training provides cross-training stimulus to help you get there.

The Expanding Horizon - Welcoming New Swimmers to the Open Water

The world of open water swimming is no longer a niche pursuit. Thanks to the booming popularity of multidisciplinary events like triathlon and swimrun, and the growing appeal of wild and winter swimming, the pool of individuals finding joy and challenge in open water is rapidly broadening. Organizers are responding, creating events that are more welcoming and inclusive than ever before.

Gone are the days when open water races were exclusively for hardened, experienced swimmers. Today, events cater to a wider range of abilities, emphasizing participation and completion as much as competition. This shift is vital, as it allows more people to discover the immense physical and mental benefits of swimming in lakes, rivers, and oceans.

As an example of this inclusivity, even formidable challenges like the Ultraswim 33.3 Events – which involve multi-day swims covering distances akin to the English Channel – have surprisingly accessible minimum pace requirements. To take part in the event participants need to be able to maintain an average swim speed of just 2.5km in an hour in a pool (this will translate to potentially 2 kilometres per hour over longer distances in open water which is their on-water cut off pace in good conditions). This is a pace that is well within reach for many new open water swimmers, not just seasoned athletes. It demonstrates a clear commitment from organizers to make these epic adventures achievable for a broader community, provided they have the right preparation and determination.

Your Next Great Challenge Awaits

The message is clear, open water marathon swimming is a vibrant, growing discipline that offers an incredible endurance challenge with unique benefits. It’s a sport where technical efficiency and mental fortitude can shine, and where the risk of impact-related injury is significantly lower than in its road-based equivalent.

Whether you're a former competitive swimmer looking to re-engage with the water, a triathlete wanting to deepen your swim performance, or a curious adult learner seeking a new, exhilarating endurance goal, the open water awaits. The camaraderie, the stunning natural environments, and the profound sense of accomplishment make these events truly unforgettable.

So, as you plan your next endurance adventure, consider dipping your toes, or rather, diving headfirst into the world of marathon swimming. You might just discover your strongest, most resilient, and most joyful endurance self in the vast, beautiful expanse of the open water.

Up Next

Starting next week I’ve been working on a 4-part series on Mastering Speed Endurance for the Runner. We peel back the layers of how your body truly adapts to speed, equip you with a powerful toolkit of workouts (including the often-underestimated strides), and reveal the secrets to sustaining your progress for long-term gains. Whether you're aiming for a new personal best or simply want to feel stronger and more efficient on every run, this series will show you how to cultivate a new level of performance and unleash the faster, more resilient runner within. Don't miss out on transforming your run training!