Marathon swimming

Marathon swimming is a class of open water swimming defined by long distances, at least 10 kilometers (6.21 mi). Unlike marathon foot-races which have a specifically defined distance, marathon swims vary in distance. However, one commonly used minimum definition is 10 kilometers (6.21 miles), the distance of the marathon swimming event at the Olympic Games.^[1]

As in all open water swimming, tides, surface currents, and wind-chop are major determinants of finish-times. For a given course, these factors can vary dramatically from day to day, making any attempt to draw conclusions about athletic ability by comparing finish times from performances undertaken on different days meaningless.

One of the earliest marathon swims was accomplished in 1875 by

technique.

The

in New York City, USA.

The

upon completing the Tsugaru Strait on May 15, 2012.

Solo swims

• English Channel
• Santa Catalina
  – mainland)
• North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland) (formerly known as the Irish Channel)
• Tsugaru Strait
• Strait of Gibraltar
• Strait of Bonifacio
• Rottnest Channel Swim (Australia)
• Cook Strait
• Swim Miami
• Beltquerung
• Otranto Strait
• Backstairs Passage
• Lake Tahoe

Group swims

• Rottnest Channel Swim (Australia)
• FINA World Aquatics Championships
• FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships

See also

• English Channel swimmers
• Ocean's seven
• King of the Channel
• Queen of the Channel

References

External links

• Channel Swimming Association
• Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation
• Catalina Channel Swimming Federation
• NYC Swim
• ACNEG (Strait of Gibraltar Swimming Association)
• NAL (Strait of Bonifacio Swimming Association)
• Marathon Swimmers Federation
• Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
• FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup
• FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix
• Open water swimming in Greece