Splashing records at Market Harborough SwiMarathon!

A relay team from Market Harborough Swimming club - Hydro Masters - managed a record 179 lengths in their allotted 50 minutes.

“The record was smashed - it’s the most ever in the six years we’ve been running the event” said Hilary Hearnshaw, one of the Market Harborough Rotary Club organisers.

“This year there were also more swimmers, swimming further and raising more money than ever before.”

In total 39 teams of swimmers managed 4,029 lengths - that’s around 62 miles.

The SwiMarathon took place on Saturday and Sunday evenings at Harborough Leisure Centre. Participants were aged from five to late 70s.

Teams of up to six swim in a relay to maximise the number of lengths they can achieve. Harborough Netball League had six teams in the event.

Each swimmer was presented with a certificate including a team photograph, by Market Harborough Rotary Club president Les Dodd.

The money raised has still to be assessed, but it will be more than £5,000, said Hilary Hearnshaw.

The Rotary Club distributes the money to local good causes - applications will be invited soon. The money will be handed out in a presentation evening on June 13.

The SwiMarathon has so far raised £35,000 in the previous five years.

Hilary said the Rotary Club would like to thank all the swimmers, all their sponsors, all the helpers, HFM and Harborough Leisure Centre, and all the local business sponsors.

They were Andrew Granger & Co; Angel Hotel; Brooke House College; Duncan Murray Wines; ET Peirson; e.surv Chartered Surveyors; Harborough Mail; Jet Pumps UK Ltd; Lewingtons Heating Engineers; Mayday Independent Financial Services Ltd; Mistry’s Pharmacy; Parr Automotive; PJD - design and print; Quinns Bookshop; J Stamp & Sons - Funerals Directors; Stephen Sanderson Transport Ltd; The Old Bank, Rothwell - restaurant; Tim Thornton Jewellers; Walker Forestry Conservation and Wartnaby - Hefford Solicitors.