Helston, Bodmin, Newquay and Truro Pools Taking Part in Swimathon 2026

Leisure centres in Helston, Bodmin, Newquay and Truro will be hosting fundraising challenges as part of Swimathon 2026, the world’s biggest fundraising swim.

The event takes place over the weekend of 20th to 22nd March and will see participants raising money for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, and the Swimathon Foundation.

Now marking its 40th year, Swimathon invites individuals and teams to take on a range of swimming challenges while supporting charities.

Swimming Challenges Across Cornwall

Participants can sign up to swim several distances depending on their ability. Individual swimmers can choose from:

• 500m

• 1.5k

• 2.5k

• Swimathon 5k

• Triple 5k

Teams can enter challenges covering 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k distances.

The events in Cornwall will take place in leisure centres operated under the ‘Better’ brand by GLL, which has supported Swimathon in its pools over the years.

A Long-Running Fundraising Event

Last year’s Swimathon saw 1,054 challenges completed across 68 pools in the UK, raising £109,000 for charity.

GLL, which operates the participating pools, is the largest provider of public swimming in the UK, with 140 pools and nine lidos. It is also the country’s biggest provider of swimming lessons, teaching around 200,000 people each week, including adults learning to swim.

With more than 1,200 people already registered for this year’s event, Swimathon 2026 could become the largest challenge of its kind held in GLL pools.

James Curry, GLL Head of Service in Cornwall, said:

“The world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK, and the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, as well as Swimathon Foundation will directly benefit from our fundraisers’ efforts. A big thank you to everyone taking part and raising money for such good causes.”

Celebrating a Milestone Year

Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew is also marking 50 years since becoming an Olympian this year.

Duncan said:

“Thanks to GLL and all our pool operator hosts for supporting their community swimmers young and old for Swimathon 2026.

In our 40th anniversary year, Swimathon promises to be bigger and better than ever and really exemplify the collective positive energy of the UK’s swimming community and the benefits swimming brings.”

How to Take Part

Entries for Swimathon 2026 close on 17th March.

More details about registration, entry fees, rules, age limits, medals and certificates can be found on the Swimathon FAQ page.

Information about the charity behind the event is also available on the Swimathon Foundation website.