THE STATE OF SWIM RUN

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of ÖTILLÖ launching the sport of swimrun.

- MATT BAIRD

The seagrass meadow sways beneath my feet, the crystalline waters offering an underwater experience that could be lifted straight from the Caribbean (or the Outer Hebrides). I'm swimming in my trail shoes and exit onto the fine white sands of the Isles of Scilly and continue to run in my wetsuit. It's multisport, but not as I've ever known it. And I'm having a blast.

The 16km Scilly Swimrun has taken me out of my comfort zone, pushed my physical limits and afforded me an incredible eye-popping immersion into the landscape of the Isles of Scilly's main island of St Mary's. Exploration, adventure and endurance feats are all in healthy supply, and all without a puncture or snapped brake cable in sight. I just keep asking myself: why haven't I done this before?

"You've only got to look at these islands to know that they're built for swimrun," says Scilly 60's Wez Swain, who took over the Scilly swimrun events in 2023. "Swimrun events should be happening here as it's a phenomenal place for the sport. I say that the swimruns here are events rather than races as I don't want people just to solely focus on the need to win or getting the best possible time; it's also about immersing yourself in this amazing environment."