All you need to know for Swim Serpentine
Please check back here for details about 2024.
Swimmer information
Swimmers with disabilities
Our team supports participants with a range of disabilities at Swim Serpentine.
We've included a number of measures to help swimmers who require assistance to feel safe and confident at the event, including:
- a ramped entrance into and exit out of the Serpentine
- assistance with entering and exiting the water
- accessible toilets and changing facilities
Please note that you do not need to enter a specific wave at the event to receive support.
If you have any further questions about the disability support available at the event, or if you need any additional assistance, please get in touch with us by emailing disability@londonmarathonevents.co.uk.
Swimmer safety
The Swim Serpentine course will be clearly marked by large buoys and a water safety team will be on hand to assist any swimmers on the day if needed.
All swimmers should be able to complete their chosen distance in full while training in a pool. Swimmers should also practise swimming in the open water before taking on the event.
There may also be Covid-19 safety measures in place at this year's Swim Serpentine – please check back here later for details.
Water temperature
The weather in the weeks leading up to the swim will determine the water temperature – so be prepared for anything here in the UK! For important information about water temperature and how it could affect your chosen swim, please look at the tables below.
| Water temperature | Course distance | Wetsuits | Max. time in water* |
| 15–29°C |
Half mile | Optional |
1 hr 10 mins |
|
15–29°C |
One mile | Optional | 1 hr 40 mins |
|
15–29°C |
Two mile | Optional | 2 hrs 50 mins |
|
15–29°C |
Super Six | Optional | 7 hrs** |
|
13.5–14.9°C |
Half mile | Optional | 1 hr |
|
13.5–14.9°C |
One mile | Optional |
1 hr 10 mins |
|
13.5–14.9°C |
Two mile | Optional | 1 hr 30 mins |
|
13.5–14.9°C |
Super Six | Optional | 6 hrs** |
Water temperature and reduced distance guidelines
The maximum times in water detailed in the table below are only applicable when the water temperature is below 13.5°C.
| Water temperature | Course distance | Wetsuits | Reduced distance |
Max. time in water* |
| 13.4°C and below |
Half mile | Optional |
N/A | 45 mins |
|
13.4°C and below |
One mile | Optional | One mile (800m option if swimming slower than 45 mins per mile pace) | 45 mins |
|
13.4°C and below |
Two mile | Optional | One mile (800m option if swimming slower than 45 mins per mile pace) | 45 mins |
|
13.4°C and below |
Super Six | Optional | Three miles (or 2 hrs 15 mins – whichever is reached first. This is 45 mins per mile pace, so swimmers must pass the second check-in in under 1 hr 30 mins**) |
* Maximum times in water have been determined based on guidance from our medical and water safety team, in line with governing body guidelines and medical evidence around swimming in water of 14°C and below. These times will be used by our on-site safety team to monitor swimmers still in the water and assess the welfare of any swimmer exceeding the maximum time in water. Swimmers may be permitted to continue swimming beyond the maximum time in water providing they are assessed fit to do so by our safety team. Any swimmers showing signs of hypothermia will be asked to exit the water for their own safety and wellbeing.
** Super Six swimmers will check in (while staying in the water) at the end of each lap. The water safety team will have the final say as to whether a swimmer can continue if they appear to be too cold or too tired, or if they are falling behind the maximum time limit.
Keep an eye on the Swim Serpentine Facebook page for the most up-to-date water temperature information in the build-up to the event.
Age group medals
Swim Serpentine is not a competitive event – the focus is on taking part and having fun! However, we will be awarding age group medals to the top three male and female finishers in the final two-mile wave of the day (classed as the ‘fast wave’, which swimmers must be able to complete in under 90 minutes, which is equivalent to a swimming pace of 45 minutes per mile) and the half-mile event for youths. The age group categories for prizes are as follows:
- Two-mile swim (final ‘fast wave’): 18-24, then all five-year age bands up to 75+
- Half-mile swim: 12-14 and 15-17 age bands