Scilly Swimrun

Swimrun in Paradise!

Scilly Swimrun 2026.

The only swimrun venue in the UK that involves real interisland swimming or complete circumnavigations of a whole island!

Swimrun is a sport with real flow, run until your knees are wet and then swim until your fingertips touch the sand! This continuous movement throughout each course combines the best of both swimming and running.

Participants will experience spectacular scenery as they make their way under their own power over the land and sea that make up the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the Isles of Scilly.

As can be seen above we now have two different weekends;

July 11/12 and August 27/28.

The July weekend

5 events spread over 3 days with two new events on offer;

Friday 10th July – Social Swimrun for all. 5k – Free

Friday 10th July – Junior Swimrun. 3k – Free

Saturday 11th July – NEW – St Agnes Swimrun. 7km

Solo Early Bird £75, From 1st Feb £85, From 1st May £100.

Pairs Early Bird £130, From 1st Feb £150, From 1st May £180.

Saturday 11th July – NEW – St Agnes Swimrun. 14km

Early Bird £110, From 1st Feb £120, From 1st May £130.

Pairs Early Bird £195, From 1st Feb £215, From 1st May £230.

Sunday 12th July – NEW – The Northern Traverse 15km

Solo Early Bird £150, From 1st Feb £170, From 1st May £200.

Pairs Early Bird £260, From 1st Feb £300, From 1st May £360

Sunday 12th July – Archipelago Swimrun. 31km

Solo Early Bird £220, From 1st Feb £250, From 1st May £280.

Pairs Early Bird £400, From 1st Feb £460, From 1st May £520.

The August dates

Thursday 27th August St Mary’s Half Course. 8km

Solo Early Bird £65, From 1st Feb £70, From 1st May £75.

Pairs Early Bird £110, From 1st Feb £120, From 1st May £140.

Thursday 27th August – St Mary’s Full Course. 16k

Solo Early Bird £110, From 1st Feb £120, From 1st May £130.

Pairs Early Bird £180, From 1st Feb £200, From 1st May £220.

Friday 28th August – NEW – Full Moon night swim. 250m.

Early Bird £20, From 1st May £25.

The Full Moon Swim, is the chance to swim in the dark. The beach will be chosen the day before when we know the forecast, so we can swim in the most quiet and sheltered bay to really take in the magic of a night swim. Swimmers will all need a tow float with a torch inside. This is an experience rather than a race. We will have a point to swim around, though this is a choice. Swimmers can stay in the water for up to 45 minutes.

Read the Race Report for the 2025 Swimruns here.

Route map for 2026 Archipelago Scilly Swimrun by Wez Swain on plotaroute.com

Route map for 2026 Northern Traverse - Scilly Swimrun by Wez Swain on plotaroute.com

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The St Agnes 7km Swimrun - 11 July 2026

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The St Agnes 14km Swimrun - 11 July 2026

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The Northern Traverse Swimrun, 15km - 12 July 2026

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The Archipelagos Swimrun, 31km - 12 July 2026

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The St Mary's Swimrun, 8km - 27 August 2026

Click Here for Timings and Distances for The St Mary's Swimrun, 16km - 27 August 2026

What is included,

Your race fees include:

A swimrun in the iconic Isles of Scilly archipelago
A donation to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust for managing the land we enjoy.
Full safety back up, both on land and sea.
A celebratory certificate, by local artist Erica Hicks, on completion of the event (this is instead of a medal)
The option of an event T shirt, Technical Cap or £10 donation to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Boat transfers for participants from St Mary’s to the event start and finish if this is on a different island.

The countdown is on!

Day(s)

Hour(s)

Minute(s)

Second(s)

It is a real privilege to be bringing swimrun back to the Isles of Scilly. Join us on beautiful trails linked by crystal clear seas as you travel through an environment that feels like it was made with swimrun in mind. If this isn’t paradise for a swimrunner, it can’t be far off!

Wez Swain, Scilly Swimrun Race Director

Important Information

Before signing up, please read the key points below:

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Travel & Accommodation

You will need travel by air or sea to Scilly – you can only drive as far as Cornwall. You will also need accommodation – there are campsites, B&Bs, hotels and self-catering cottages, but accommodation can get booked up early.

More at ‘Visit Isles of Scilly’

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Mandatory Kit

Wetsuit – (NOT a Trisuit!)
Towfloat for solo participants in the Archipelago and Northern Traverse swimrun.
Whistle, easily accessible.
Foldable cup/soft flask

Full Moon Swim

Everyone MUST have a tow float with a torch inside.

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Support

We will provide energy stations throughout the swimruns. However you are free to carry what you like. Swimrunners may wish to carry multiple gels emptied into a soft flask to be used when they need it. Please do not dispose of anything en route.

Race Conditions of Entry

Solo participants on the Archipelago and Northern Traverse Swimruns must bring and wear a tow float on ALL swims. Pairs must be tethered together.
You can race as a pair or solo. (If you would like to race as a trio, just email Wez at the below address)
Those signing up after May 1st, will not have the option for a T-shirt as these T-shirts are printed to order to avoid waste.
Swim hats must be worn during ALL swims. Swim hats are provided for all.
If you feel you have enough swim hats at home, you can return them after the race to be reused at future events.
The Isles of Scilly is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), so we need everyone to enjoy and respect this delicate environment. As such, this is a no-litter race.
Race bibs must be worn and visible at all times. These must be returned after the event.
The course may change in the build up to the event due to weather/erosion. Any changes will be announced on the website and social media in the few days building up to the event.
Please book accommodation and travel, before paying your event entry fee.
Refunds – due to large outlays, we cannot offer refunds after May 1st. We strongly recommend taking out event insurance due to you not being able to take part for any reason.
Participants that are pregnant, have a pregnant partner, or are adopting, will be offered a refund or three-year deferral.
The event is mainly organised by just one person (Wez Swain), so please be patient if it takes longer than anticipated to get back to you via email.
By entering the event, you have read and agree to be bound by the terms of the Scilly Swimrun Disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the terrain be like?

All islands have short steep hills. 95% of the run is on the coast path or trails, with a small amount of running on beaches/sand and road. Some of the transitions will be over wet rocks, others just a sandy beach. Although the maximum elevation is only about 93m there are plenty of ups and downs throughout the day – it is hillier than you may think!

Is there an age limit?

The Junior Swimrun is for all ages. 7’s and under must be accompanied by 1 adult to 4 children. The guided swimrun and the Archipelago swimrun is for 18’s and over. The St Mary’s Half Course and the St Mary’s Full course is for 18’s and over if participating solo.

12 year olds and older can participate in the both of the St Mary’s Courses as long as they are partnered with an adult. The under 18 must be competent at running and swimming in the sea; they MUST use a tether for the swims.

Can I take part solo?

Yes, we welcome every swimrunner. Personally we actually think the event is more fun when shared with a swimrun partner. However you can choose to be in a pair or solo. Pairs must keep within 10m of each other. A bungee cord, tether, connecting both is advised for the swims. It is also possible to participate as a trio, just email swimrun@scilly60.co.uk for further information.

How strict are the timing cut-offs?

The cut offs are for everyone’s safety. Please train hard, we prefer to be nice to everyone.

Will there be energy stations?

Yes. There will be a variety of energy stations at each event. A list of what is available will be sent to swimrunners a month prior to the events.

What happens to my post race kit?

You can leave it in your accommodation or at the start line. (For the Northern Traverse, we will move the kit to the finish for you.

Can I have a shower at the finish?

No. You will need to return to your accommodation to do this.

If I'm staying on a different island, how do I get to and from the race?

You will need to contact the boating organisation for that island:
St Agnes Boating, Tresco Boats (Tresco and Bryher)
St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association (for St Mary’s and St Martin’s)
Also: Endeavour Rib Services or Falcon Boating

Boating in the early mornings or late evenings can be tricky and in bad weather not always possible. Please consider this when looking for accomidation.

What about the environment?

This is a no-litter race. We will disqualify anyone who is caught littering the landscape.
We make a donation to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust from your entry fee.
We also discuss the route with the Wildlife Trust to make sure there is minimal impact from the event on wildlife and the environment.

Enter the Race & Contact Us

Booking for the 2026 events are now open.

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Keep in Touch Scilly60 Events Newsletter Sign up here

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Or email Swimrun@scilly60.co.uk if you have a question

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