Swimrun Bewl Water

The Swimrun Bewl 2026 takes place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Bewl Water in Lamberhurst, Kent, United Kingdom, within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This swimrun event offers three distances – Experience (6.4km), Sprint (10km), and Gritty (21.2km) – for solo participants, with the Gritty distance also open to pairs. The race features open water swims in Bewl Water and undulating run sections across trails, tracks, fields, and woodland paths, with robust safety cover, free event photography, and a finish line celebration.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• Included in Entry: Swim cap, finisher's medal, race timing, race nutrition and hydration, and free professional event photography for personal use.
• Registration & Race Briefing: Detailed schedule to be confirmed – check event communications.
• Bag Drop: Available at Event HQ.
• Car Parking: Available at Bewl Water – check the Bewl Water website for information and fees.
• Camping: Available at Bewl Water, a short distance from Event HQ. Book directly through Bewl Water camping.
• Group Discounts: Available for multiple entries.
• Volunteer Marshals: The event relies on volunteer marshals. Volunteers receive a donation to a good cause of their choice or a transferable race credit. Sign up via the event website.
• Positive Local Impact: The event aims to leave a positive environmental impact and benefit local businesses and good causes.
• Legacy: This event continues the legacy of As Keen as Mustard Events (AKAM), with thoughtful course design and a community-first approach preserved.

Mandatory Equipment (must be carried from start to finish):

• Suitable footwear – trainers or trail shoes worn throughout the entire race.
• Swim cap – supplied by the event, must be worn for every swim section.
• Wetsuit – mandatory if water temperature is below 14°C; otherwise trisuit, swimming gear, t-shirt and shorts are permitted.
• Whistle – for attracting attention in an emergency.
• Reusable, collapsible or soft cup/flask – no paper cups or single-use bottles; water dispensers only.
• Small compression bandage – must be waterproof-packed.

Optional Equipment:

• Inflated and brightly coloured tow float.
• Paddles, pull buoys, and fins (no longer than 15cm measured from the toe).

Aid Stations and Nutrition:

• Experience (6.4km): Water/aid station at start/finish line.
• Sprint (10km): Water/aid station at 6km point.
• Gritty (21.2km): Water/aid stations at 5.2km and 15.8km.
• Aid stations include: water dispensers, electrolyte drink option, jelly sweets (or equivalent), and gels for Gritty course athletes.

Safety Measures:

• Marshal team managing swim entries and exits with flags.
• Water safety team managing each swim.
• First aid team strategically located.
• Whistle protocol: Use whistle to attract attention if you cannot reach a marshal. Athletes should assist if they hear a whistle and alert the nearest marshal immediately.
• Swim sections: Only enter/exit water at designated points (chosen to minimise ecological impact). No diving permitted. Watch for underwater hazards (rocks, ledges). Take time standing up after a swim.
• Run sections: Expect mud, lumps, bumps, tree roots, overhanging branches, uneven surfaces. On the Gritty course, quiet roads – be aware of traffic and move to verges when needed.
• Early retirement: Report to nearest marshal, let registration know you've retired, return race bib to Event HQ.

Course Details by Distance:

• Experience (6.4km) – Estimated completion time: 45 minutes – 2 hours. Difficulty: Introduction to swimrun. Start by heading across the dam wall, out through woodland, into the water, then winding back through beautiful terrain to the finish. Longest run: 1,800m. Longest swim: 400m.
• Sprint (10km) – Estimated completion time: 1 – 2 hours 45 minutes. Longest run: 2,000m. Longest swim: 500m. Water/aid station at 6km.
• Gritty (21.2km) – Estimated completion time: 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours 45 minutes. Features epic trail sections, quiet country roads, steep hills, a drop-off jump, and challenging mixed terrain loops. Longest run: 7,200m. Longest swim: 1,100m.

Route and Atmosphere:

• Scenic Setting: Bewl Water is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside, just an hour from London, 35 minutes from the coast, and 25 minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells.
• Terrain: Runnable trails, open water swims with accessible reservoir entries and exits, boulder-strewn approaches that add texture to transitions, and – on the Gritty course – a drop-off jump as a memorable highlight.
• Community-First Approach: A race that honours its roots while embracing the future. Thoughtful course design makes this event special.
• Finish Line Celebration: A post-race gathering that brings everyone together to share their achievements.
• Spectator Experience: Friends and family can enjoy the beautiful Bewl Water setting, cheer participants at swim entries/exits and along run sections, and join the finish line celebration.
• Accessibility: The Experience course is a brilliant introduction to swimrun. The Sprint offers a zesty step up. The Gritty course provides an endurance-packed adventure for the adventurous rascal.

Swimrun Bewl 2026 at Bewl Water, Kent – set within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – offers Experience (6.4km), Sprint (10km), and Gritty (21.2km) swimrun courses for solo participants and pairs, with free event photography, mandatory kit requirements, and robust safety cover throughout.