> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Spaces filling quickly for 50th Skipton Swimarathon as countdown begins - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/spaces-filling-quickly-for-50th-skipton-swimarathon-as-countdown-begins/ - Published: 2026-09-08T09:25:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-08T09:25:26.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: News - The 50th Skipton Swimarathon takes place from 7 to 11 October, with spaces filling quickly one month before the event - A new Salty Swim option has been introduced at La Vallette Ladies' Pool on 9 or 10 October, alongside traditional Beau Sejour sessions - The event will raise funds for Les Bourgs Hospice, which is celebrating 35 years of providing care to islanders - Last year more than £67,000 was raised with over 1,700 participants - The Swimarathon has raised over £2 million for local causes since it began in 1977 Listen to this article 0:00 /0 1× Spaces are filling quickly for the 50th Skipton Swimarathon, with just one month to go until the five-day community fundraising event begins. This year's Skipton Swimarathon takes place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October and will raise funds for Les Bourgs Hospice and other local causes. Swimmers of all ages and abilities can enter as individuals, families, school groups, sports clubs, or corporate teams. This year also sees the introduction of the Salty Swim, giving participants the option of taking part at La Vallette Ladies' Pool on Friday 9 or Saturday 10 October. The sea swim will run alongside the traditional event at Beau Sejour and At Large swims held at local schools. The 2026 event marks two significant anniversaries. The Skipton Swimarathon is celebrating its 50th year, while its main beneficiary, Les Bourgs Hospice, is marking 35 years of providing care and support to islanders and their families. John Stuart, chair of the Skipton Swimarathon Organising Committee, said: "With one month to go and spaces filling, now is the time to choose a session and secure your place, whether you are entering individually or as part of a team. "To mark the 50th Skipton Swimarathon, we have partnered with La Vallette Bathing Pools to introduce the Salty Swim, giving people a new way to take part. We hope islanders will join us at Beau Sejour or La Vallette and help make this year's event one to remember." Rob Jones, chief executive officer of Les Bourgs Hospice, said: "The Skipton Swimarathon is a wonderful example of Guernsey coming together to support its community, and we are proud to be its main beneficiary during our 35th anniversary year. "Every team that enters, every length completed, and every donation made will help us continue providing specialist care to patients and vital support to their families. As an entirely fundraising-reliant charity, the community's support makes our work possible." Pete Turner, chief operating officer at Skipton International, said: "Skipton International has supported the Swimarathon for more than 15 years because it makes a real difference to local charities and the people who rely on them. "Few events unite Guernsey quite like it, with islanders of all ages coming together to raise funds for causes that matter to our community. We are proud to continue that commitment in the event's 50th year and to support Les Bourgs Hospice as it celebrates 35 years of caring for islanders and their families." Last year, more than £67,000 was raised, with over 1,700 swimmers, volunteers, and supporters taking part. The Lions Club of Guernsey, Guernsey Round Table and Variety Club of Guernsey formed the first Swimarathon organising committee under the chairmanship of Harry Bisson in 1977\. The proceeds from the event were to be shared equally by the clubs, but could only be spent locally in Guernsey. At the first Swimarathon 186 teams swam over a period of 34 one-hour sessions. It was started by the Bailiff Sir John Loveridge at 5pm on the Friday and finished at 10pm on the Sunday. Just over 1,000 people took part and £19,900 was raised. Currently, around 2,000 swimmers of all ages take part each year and have helped raise over £2,000,000 for local good causes during the past 49 years. Many Swimarathon traditions have been established, including the challenge of swimming for trophies. Generally, children swim on a distance basis and adults on money raised. Sixteen trophy categories including Finance, Professional, Legal, Hospitality, Churches, Clubs and Schools compete for over thirty trophies. There is also a separate Super Supporter Award Scheme to help promote the corporate sector and big money raising teams in Guernsey for the amount of funds raised by individual teams. Since 2003 it has become tradition that the Round Table and Lions Club agree to pool Swimarathon resources towards a common goal, selecting a main beneficiary who receives donated funds as a priority before the clubs share the surplus. In 2010 Skipton International became the sponsor, with the event now known as the Skipton Swimarathon. To register for the traditional swim or find out more about the Salty Swim, visit [www.swimarathon.org](https://www.swimarathon.org/?ref=thequarry.media). ## Q&A **Q: When does the 50th Skipton Swimarathon take place?** A: The event runs from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October 2026. **Q: What is new about this year's Swimarathon?** A: The Salty Swim has been introduced, giving participants the option of taking part at La Vallette Ladies' Pool on Friday 9 or Saturday 10 October, alongside the traditional Beau Sejour sessions. **Q: How much money has the Swimarathon raised over its history?** A: The event has raised over £2 million for local good causes during the past 49 years. Last year alone, more than £67,000 was raised.